NewzIntel.com

Category: Farming

  • MIL-Evening Report: What are the greatest upsets in NRL grand final history?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wayne Peake, Adjunct research fellow, School of Humanities and Communication Arts, Western Sydney University

    The Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm will contest the National Rugby League (NRL) grand final on Sunday.

    Betting markets have them pretty much equal favourites. However, history shows grand finals don’t always go to plan.

    But what are the biggest upsets in NRL grand final history?

    Using a combination of formlines during the season and in finals, betting odds, media coverage and past performances, here are some of the most outlandish upsets in rugby league’s history.

    1944: Balmain 12, Newtown 8

    In 1944, Newtown was the minor premier while Balmain was second.

    Newtown entered the finals series as hot favourite and looked even hotter after destroying third-placed St George 55–7 in the first semi-final.

    However, in the final, Balmain won 19–6. That wasn’t the end of the story, though.

    Under the rules of the day, Newtown, as minor premier, could seek a rematch in a grand final “challenge”.

    Newton fielded a much stronger side and most expected it to reverse the final result. However, Balmain won again, 12–8.

    1952: Western Suburbs 22, South Sydney 12

    In 1952, Wests were minor premiers, while Souths finished third.

    Souths won the first semi-final 18–10 but Wests, as minor premiers, went straight to the grand final challenge three weeks later anyway. Meanwhile, Souths beat North Sydney to advance.

    According to the Sydney Truth, Wests were “regarded in some quarters as rank outsiders”.

    Then, rumours spread that Wests had “thrown” the first game and the referee assigned to the decider, George Bishop, had placed £400 on them, causing their price to shorten.

    Bishop sent off a player from each team ten minutes into the second half. Souths scored a try with 20 minutes to go to take the lead before Wests scored four tries in the last ten minutes to win.

    Bishop retired after the grand final.

    1963: St George 8, Western Suburbs 3

    In 1963, St George was minor premiers, while Wests were second. However, Wests, which had lost the previous two grand finals to St George, had beaten them twice in the regular rounds and again in the major semi-final, and went into the game favourite.

    On grand final day, the field deteriorated into a quagmire and led to the famous post-match “gladiators” photograph of captains Arthur Summons and Norm Provan shaking hands while coated in mud.

    The foul conditions contributed to a low-scoring game, which St George won 8–3.

    Once more it was suspected the referee, this time Darcy Lawler, had a financial interest in the outcome. He, too, retired immediately.

    Today we view St George’s victory in the context of a huge winning streak of premierships from 1955 to 1966.

    1989: Canberra 19, Balmain 14

    South Sydney had been minor premiers while Balmain finished third, one point clear of Canberra.

    Balmain were generally considered to have been more impressive than Canberra and were favourites for the grand final.

    One media expert, Harry Craven, was so confident Balmain would win he had his “weatherboard” (house) on the Tigers.

    In the grand final, Balmain led 14-8 with 15 minutes to play before Canberra levelled at 14–14 with 90 seconds remaining.

    After 20 minutes of extra time, Canberra won 19–14 and became the first team to win from further back than third in the regular season.

    1995: Canterbury 17, Manly 4

    Possibly the hottest grand final favourites of the past half-century, Manly lost just two games in the regular season and shared the minor premiership with Canberra.

    Canterbury (officially, the “Sydney Bulldogs” in 1995) were sixth and needed to win four straight games to be premier.

    The two sides met once in the regular season, with Manly winning 26-0.

    In the grand final, the Bulldogs led 6–4 at half-time and disaster loomed when Terry Lamb was sin-binned early in the second term.

    Somehow, the Dogs held Manly out until his return, then gained the ascendancy and won comfortably.

    1997: Newcastle 22, Manly 16

    In 1997 we had the first season of the News Limited-funded “Super League”.

    The glamourous Manly side was once more expected to be easy winners over Newcastle, which was contesting its first grand final.

    Only two teams in 70 years had won at their first attempt, while Manly had won its past 11 matches against the Knights.

    The grand final followed its anticipated plot until Newcastle’s Robbie O’Davis evened the score at 16–16. Newcastle missed with two field goal attempts, but after the second, Darren Albert regathered the ball and pierced the Manly defence to score under the posts with six seconds remaining.

    In 1997, the Newcastle Knights secured a maiden title against the Manly Sea Eagles.

    1999: Melbourne 20, St George Illawarra 18

    Odds for the 1999 grand final are unknown but the press anointed St George “hot favourites” while Canterbury champion Ricky Stuart rated them “unbeatable”.

    Melbourne was in just its second year of NRL competition and had never beaten St George.

    Melbourne had pulled off “escapes” against Canterbury and Parramatta to make the decider but the Saints were winning with ease and even crushed Melbourne 34–10 in the qualifying final.

    In the decider, St George led 14–0 and was looking good. Then, in the 51st minute, Anthony Mundine kicked the ball to a vacant try line but fumbled it touching down.

    The Melbourne Storm shocked the NRL world when they won the 1999 grand final.

    Nevertheless, St George maintained an 18–6 advantage midway through the second half, before a Storm fightback.

    With minutes remaining, Melbourne received a penalty try which it converted to win the game.

    The biggest upset: 1969, Balmain 11, South Sydney 2

    Most agree the biggest grand final upset is Balmain’s 11-2 defeat of South Sydney in 1969.

    Bookies had Souths as heavy favourites – they had won the previous two grand finals, while Balmain was a young team lacking grand final experience.

    However, the form lines of the two teams were not dissimilar.

    At the end of the regular season, South Sydney was the minor premier with Balmain just one win behind them.

    Souths defeated Balmain by one point in the semi-final, and a week later, Balmain beat Manly by a point to scrape into the grand final.

    Despite South’s heavy favouritism, Balmain were not friendless. Of six “experts” whose opinion was sought by one newspaper on the morning of the game, two picked Balmain outright and another conceded them an even-money chance.

    It was perhaps the circumstances of the game, as much as the result, that has lent the 1969 grand final its legend status.

    Souths, noted for their attacking potency, were unable to score a try. Balmain scored a single try early in the second half but then several Balmain players set about disrupting the Souths attack by, allegedly, feigning injuries to give their teammates a breather.

    The game has since become known as the “sit-down grand final”.

    Wayne Peake does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. What are the greatest upsets in NRL grand final history? – https://theconversation.com/what-are-the-greatest-upsets-in-nrl-grand-final-history-239380

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How we created a beautiful native wildflower meadow in the heart of the city using threatened grassland species

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine Horsfall, PhD Candidate, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne

    Matthew Stanton, CC BY-NC

    A city street may seem an unusual place to save species found in critically endangered grasslands. My new research, though, shows we can use plants from these ecosystems to create beautiful and biodiverse urban wildflower meadows. This means cities, too, can support nature repair.

    Species-rich grassy ecosystems are some of the most threatened plant communities on the planet. Occupying easily developed flat land, grassy ecosystems are routinely sacrificed as our cities expand.

    In south-east Australia, the volcanic plains that support Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs were once grasslands strewn with wildflowers, “resembling a nobleman’s park on a gigantic scale”, according to early explorer Thomas Mitchell. But these exceptionally diverse, critically endangered ecosystems have been reduced to less than 1% of their original area. The few remnants continue to be lost to urban development and weed invasion.

    A mix of the seeds used to create the meadow.
    Hui-Anne Tan, CC BY-NC

    Unfortunately, efforts to restore the grasslands around Melbourne have had mixed results. In 2020 the City of Melbourne took matters into its own hands. Recognising it is possible to enrich the diversity of birds, bats and insects by providing low-growing native plants, the council set a goal to increase understorey plants by 20% on the land it manages.

    Creating a large native grassland in inner-city Royal Park would help achieve this goal. Adopting a technique used by wildflower meadow designers, we sowed a million seeds of more than two dozen species from endangered grasslands around Melbourne. All but one of these species established in the resulting native wildflower meadow.

    The recreated native wildflower meadow is close to an inner-city road.
    Matthew Stanton, CC BY-NC

    What were the challenges at this site?

    Existing restoration techniques remove nutrient-enriched topsoils full of weed seeds before sowing native seeds. The target plant community can then establish with less competition from nutrient-hungry weeds.

    However, this approach could not be used at the Royal Park site. Topsoil removal cannot be used on many urban sites where soils are contaminated or there are underground services. Alternative approaches are needed to reduce weed competition while minimising soil disturbance.

    I saw a possible answer in the horticultural approaches used to create designed wildflower meadows.

    Preparing the selected site in Royal Park by raking away mulch.
    Hui-Anne Tan, CC BY-NC

    While still rare in Australia, designed wildflower meadows can increase the amenity and biodiversity of urban environments. They also reduce the costs of managing and mowing turf grass. These meadows are designed to be infrequently mown or burnt.

    Wildflower meadow designers typically use an international suite of species that can be established from seed and persist without fertiliser or regular irrigation. An abundance of flowers makes people more accepting of “messy” vegetation. Recognising this, designers select a mix of species that will flower for as much of the year as possible.

    Seed being spread by hand across the prepared area in April 2020.
    Hui-Anne Tan, CC BY-NC

    To reduce competition from weeds, these meadows are often created on a layer of sand that covers the original site soils. The low-nutrient sand buries weed seeds and creates a sowing surface that resists weed invasion from the surrounding landscape.

    However, the grasslands around Melbourne grow on clay soils, not sand. Would these techniques work for plants from these ecosystems?

    A deep sand layer controls weeds and slugs

    To find out we sowed more than a million seeds on sites with two depths of sand (10mm and 80mm) and one without a sand layer in Royal Park. Within one year, 26 of the 27 species sown had established to form a dense, flowering meadow across all sand depths. These plants included three threatened species.

    The hoary sunray, Leucochrysum albicans subsp. tricolor, is one of the endangered species in the native wildflower meadow.
    Marc Freestone/Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, CC BY-NC-SA

    Crucially, the deepest sand layer reduced weed numbers and therefore time spent weeding.

    Interestingly, slugs played a role in determining the diversity of the native meadow. South-east Australia’s grasslands have largely evolved without slugs. As a result, seedlings lack chemical or physical defences against grazing by slugs, which can greatly reduce species diversity in native meadows.

    Again, sand provided a real benefit. Fewer slugs occurred on the deepest sand layer compared to bare soil. The suggestion that sand can deter slugs is consistent with meadow research in Europe.

    By September 2020, seedlings are growing on the prepared plots. The roof tile in the foreground is for monitoring slug numbers.
    Hui-Anne Tan, CC BY-NC

    Now to repair nature in all our cities

    Our research gives us another technique to reinstate critically endangered plant communities. We can use it to bring nature back to city parks and streets.

    Working in urban contexts also unlocks other advantages. There’s ready access to irrigation while the meadow gets established and to communities keen to care for natural landscapes. Creating native wildflower meadows in cities also helps native animals survive, including threatened species that call our cities home.

    People will be able to engage with beautiful native plants that are now rare in cities. Enriching our experience of nature can enhance our health and wellbeing.

    The meadow’s plant community was established by November 2020, six months after sowing.
    David Hannah, CC BY-NC

    My colleagues and I trialled these approaches with the support of the City of Melbourne. We are continuing our research to improve the scale and sustainability of native wildflower meadows in other municipalities.

    Native wildflower meadows and grassland restoration projects could genuinely help Australia meet its commitment to restore 30% of degraded landscapes. But first we need to invest much more in seed production. Reinstating native species on degraded land requires a lot of seed.

    Once seed supply is more certain, we will be able to bring back native biodiversity and beauty to streets, parks and reserves across the country.

    I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the project took place, the Wurundjeri and Bunurong people of the Kulin Nations, and we pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. I also acknowledge my colleagues listed as co-authors on the research paper that formed the basis of this article: urban ecologists Nicholas S.G. Williams and Stephen Livesley, and seed ecologists Megan Hirst and John Delpratt.

    Katherine Horsfall received funding from the City of Melbourne to undertake this research and receives funding from the Australian Research Training Program.

    – ref. How we created a beautiful native wildflower meadow in the heart of the city using threatened grassland species – https://theconversation.com/how-we-created-a-beautiful-native-wildflower-meadow-in-the-heart-of-the-city-using-threatened-grassland-species-240332

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch, Hoeven, Smith Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help New and Young Farmers Access Farm Ownership Loans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced the Farm Ownership Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation to help new and young farmers access the funding needed to purchase new land by establishing a pre-approval or pre-qualification process for loans secured through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. 
    “Access to land is one of the most important—and expensive—factors to success for new and young farmers. USDA loans can help farmers mitigate these costs, but rising land values and an increasingly fast-paced real estate market often leave farmers unable to compete. We need a solution that ensures agricultural lending options meet the needs of underserved farmers and ranchers who often lack the connections needed to secure these crucial funds,” said Senator Welch. “Our bill streamlines access to USDA financing so that more young farmers and ranchers can access crucial funds to start and sustain their businesses.” 
    “Currently, approval for an FSA farm ownership loan can take up to six months to process, putting producers that utilize this program at a huge disadvantage when trying to purchase farmland,” said Senator Hoeven. “Our legislation directs FSA to create a pilot program to establish a pre-approval process for FSA direct ownership loans. Having a pre-approved FSA loan will enable farmers, including young and beginning producers, to act quickly when farmland becomes available and make them more competitive in the real estate market.” 
    “Farmers and producers are the backbone of Minnesota’s economy,” said Senator Smith. “This legislation would reduce barriers for purchasing land, repairing current operations, and building capital. Meeting farmers where they are and tearing down barriers that impede their success will keep our agricultural economy thriving.”
    The Farm Ownership Improvement Act also requires USDA to provide Congress with an annual report on the pilot program’s performance outcomes and coordinate outreach with stakeholder organizations to spread awareness about the program. By offering a pre-qualification or pre-approval process to direct farm ownership applicants, FSA will help level the playing field for applicants seeking land, particularly among the next generation of farmers and ranchers. 
    The Farm Ownership Improvement Act is endorsed by the National Young Farmers Coalition, National Farmers Union, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, National Family Farm Coalition, and Rural Coalition. 
    “As first-generation ranchers, my husband and I were incredibly fortunate to have had a relationship with the sellers of our property. We were mentored in the early years of our business leasing the same property, which meant the seller was willing to be patient with the long and sometimes arduous process involved with getting FSA loan approval. However, not every beginning farmer has the luck we had buying from someone we had a great relationship with. With the current lack of an FSA pre-approval process, new farmers are at a huge disadvantage when buying land in competition with people who are able to access conventional mortgages or purchase in cash,” said Evanne Caviness, Associate Field Director for the National Young Farmers Coalition, and Colorado rancher. “This pilot initiative to allow the FSA to give farmers and ranchers a competitive edge in an increasingly challenging market will help save farmland from going out of production or being developed and will keep it where it belongs: in the hands of our country’s farmers.”
    “I’ve built a viable business from the ground up on rented land, but my partner and I don’t have access to generational wealth or high-income careers to pivot from and pursue farming full-time,” said Michelle Week of Xast Sqit (Good Rain) Farm, greater Portland Oregon. “Traditional lenders don’t recognize our lifestyle or business model, so we don’t qualify for standard loans. In the Portland, Oregon metro area and SW Washington counties, land prices are increasing, and while retiring farmers want to pass their land to people like us, they can’t afford to wait. Several farmers have approached me, but I can’t access the capital fast enough to meet their financial needs to address health and relocation costs. With FSA Pre-Approval we’d be better positioned to make offers and purchase our forever farmland, supporting retiring farmers, continuing to nourish our communities and to better stabilize and grow our farm operations. It’s a win all around.” 
    “This bill is a great opportunity to strengthen USDA relationships with organizations already working with beginning farmers and ranchers. Access to land and credit are the main priorities for agrarian entrepreneurs and relying on their serving trusted organizations will secure the success of the pilot program,” said Antonio Tovar, Senior Policy Associate for the National Family Farm Coalition. 
    “Access to affordable land is essential for the success of all farmers, and it’s an especially pressing challenge for young and beginning farmers,” said Rob Larew, President of National Farmers Union. “NFU appreciates Senators Welch and Hoeven for introducing the Farm Ownership Improvement Act. By piloting a new process for the USDA Farm Service Agency’s direct ownership loan program, this bill would help make the dream of owning farmland a reality for more of the next generation of family farmers and ranchers.” 
    Learn more about the Farm Ownership Improvement Act. 
    Read the full text of the bill. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren Demands John Deere Explain “Disgraceful” Attempts to Prevent Farmers from Repairing Their Own Equipment

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    October 03, 2024
    Raises Concern about Company Undermining Right-to-Repair Agreements, Violating Clean Air Act
    Repair restrictions like John Deere’s hurt farmers and consumers across the country; cost American farmers $4.2 billion per year
    “John Deere has repeatedly interfered with farmers’ ability to repair the equipment they own, including by blocking independent repairs to maximize profit, negotiating an MOU in bad faith, and failing to inform farmers of their rights in potential violation of the Clean Air Act.”
    Text of Letter (PDF)
    Boston, MA – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote to Deere & Company (John Deere) accusing the company of undermining its own “right-to-repair” agreements and evading its responsibilities under the Clean Air Act by failing to grant its customers the right to repair their own agricultural equipment. 
    John Deere restricts farmers from repairing broken equipment themselves, even when they have the knowledge and tools to do so, instead forcing them to wait for weeks until a John Deere technician is available, and risking missed crop windows on which farmers’ livelihoods rely. In Massachusetts, there are just three John Deere dealerships for 470,000 acres of farm operations, or 2,400 farms per dealership. Farmers nationwide lose an average of $3,348 per year “directly tied to downtime and repair restrictions imposed by equipment manufacturers.” Repair restrictions cost U.S. farmers $4.2 billion per year.
    “While John Deere’s profits spike thanks to this strategy, farmers suffer,” wrote Senator Warren.
    In fact, by overcharging for repair services, John Deere has seen its profits streaming in. Since 2020 the company has seen a 270% increase in profits, despite labor strikes, supply disruptions, a drop in sales, and a global pandemic. 
    After years of legal battles, in January 2023, John Deere signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) promising to provide farmers and independent repair shops with the diagnostic tools and information they need to make repairs to their machines. But the MOU appeared to be a veiled attempt to hold off the passage of “right-to-repair” legislation. In exchange for pledges to provide the information and tools needed for farmers to make repairs, John Deere secured a politically valuable promise from the American Farm Bureau Federation to encourage American farmers not to introduce, promote, or support federal or state right-to-repair legislation that imposed obligations beyond the MOU’s commitments. 
    John Deere is not upholding its side of the bargain, and appears to have negotiated the MOU in bad faith. Rather than allow farmers meaningful opportunity to repair their equipment, John Deere has provided inadequate tools and disclosures.
    The software tool offered to farmers redacts or obfuscates functions and information required to complete repairs. Further, earlier this year, John Deere admitted to omitting a legally required addendum about repair rights from its manuals. 
    The exclusion of this information may violate the Clean Air Act, which requires manufacturers to “provide in boldface type on the first page of the written maintenance instructions notice that maintenance, replacement, or repair … may be performed by any automotive repair establishment or individual.” The EPA warned John Deere that its manuals were not in compliance with EPA regulations.
    “John Deere has repeatedly interfered with farmers’ ability to repair the equipment they own, including by blocking independent repairs to maximize profit, negotiating an MOU in bad faith, and failing to inform farmers of their rights in potential violation of the Clean Air Act,” wrote Senator Warren. “Deere’s attempts to stave off right-to-repair reforms that would save American farmers $4.2 billion per year are disgraceful.”
    Senator Warren asked John Deere to respond to questions related to the company’s repair restrictions and apparent failure to comply with the law by October 17, 2024. 
    Senator Warren has repeatedly sought to bolster competition and fight back against costly restrictions on repairs for cars, military equipment, and other goods: 
    In September 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren sent two letters regarding the costly restrictions imposed on the Department of Defense that bar the military from repairing its own military equipment and instead force it to pay billions of dollars extra to military contractors.
    In July 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren included a provision in the Senate Fiscal Year 2025 NDAA that would require contractors to provide DoD with “fair and reasonable” access to repair materials.
    In August 2023, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), celebrated the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reversing course and allowing enforcement of Massachusetts’ pro-consumer Right to Repair law. 
    In June 2023, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to reverse its course after it sent a recent letter to auto manufacturers, advising them not to comply with Massachusetts’ Right to Repair law. 
    In February 2022, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Angus King (I-Maine), and Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) urged the Department of Health and Human Services to move forward with the march-in petition submitted for the prostate cancer drug Xtandi.
    In July 2021, Senator Warren and Representative Doggett (D-Texas) sent a letter to the Department of Defense requesting information about steps taken to reduce costs of DoD-funded prescription drugs and medical products.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: White  House Appoints 2024-2025 Class of White  House  Fellows

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    The President’s Commission on White House Fellows is pleased to announce the appointment of the 2024-2025 class of White House Fellows. Founded in 1964, the White House Fellows program offers exceptional young leaders first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the Federal government. Fellows spend a year working with senior White House Staff, Cabinet Secretaries, and other top-ranking Administration officials, and leave the Administration equipped to serve as better leaders in their communities. Fellowships are awarded on a non-partisan basis.
    This year’s Fellows advanced through a highly competitive selection process, and they are a remarkably gifted, passionate, and accomplished group. These Fellows bring experience from across the country and from a broad cross-section of professions, including from the private sector, state government, academia, non-profits, medicine, and the armed forces.
    Applications for the 2025-2026 Fellowship year will be accepted starting November 1, 2024. The application link and additional information is available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/get-involved/fellows/.
    Class of 2024-2025 White House Fellows
    Patrick Branco is from Kailua, Hawai‘i, and is placed at the Department of the Navy. He has been the Director of External Affairs with Hawai‘i Green Growth, a United Nations (UN) hub catalyzing action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals for the Asia-Pacific region. Branco is the first from Hawai‘i to receive the Congressman Rangel International Affairs Fellowship, funding his master’s degree at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He served at the State Department in Colombia, Pakistan, Venezuela and the Secretary of State’s Operations Center. In 2020, he was elected to the Hawai‘i State House of Representatives. Branco currently serves as a U.S. Navy officer reservist and is proficient in Spanish, Korean, and Hawaiian.
    Nicholas Dockery is from Indianapolis, Indiana, and is placed at the Office of the First Lady: Joining Forces Initiative. With a distinguished career in the Infantry and Special Operations Community, Nick has deployed to numerous combat zones and operational areas worldwide. For bravery and wounds in combat, Nick was awarded two Silver Stars and two Purple Hearts. His military experience is complemented by his academic and advisory roles; he served as a research fellow at the Modern War Institute and as an advisor to the Military Times Charitable Foundation. Nick has received the West Point Nininger Award for Valor at Arms, the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award, and the title of 2022 Soldier of the Year. An advocate for equine therapy, Nick passionately supports its use in helping veterans cope with PTSD. Nick holds a Master of Public Policy from Yale University and a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
    Tawny Holmes Hlibok, Esq. is from West Palm Beach, Florida, and is placed at the Domestic Policy Council. As a third-generation Deaf person and attorney, she is a dedicated advocate for deaf children’s education rights and language equity including access to sign languages. Tawny is a tenured associate professor in Deaf Studies at the world’s only university for the Deaf, Gallaudet University, where she recently won $3.75 million funding to lead a national implementation and change center for early intervention with deaf babies and their families in partnership with HRSA and NICHQ. She also serves as the executive director of the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf.
    DeAnna Hoskins is from Cincinnati, Ohio, and is placed at the Department of the Army. She has served as President/CEO of JustLeadershipUSA (JLUSA), a national nonprofit that empowers people directly impacted by the criminal justice system. DeAnna is a nationally- recognized advocate and policy expert who has shifted the national narrative on the disparities and limitations of having a criminal background. She has served as Senior Policy Advisor and as Deputy Director of the Federal Interagency Reentry Council at the U.S. Department of Justice. DeAnna was also the founding Director of Reentry for Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners in Ohio.
    Michael Kennedy is from Morehead City, North Carolina, and is placed at the United States Coast Guard. As a nurse practitioner, her career involves direct patient care while leading process improvement in rural and underserved settings. Michael attended Lenoir Community College to become a Registered Nurse and later earned a B.S. Nursing from Barton College. Witnessing disparities in practice led Michael to East Carolina University for an M.S. Adult Nurse Practitioner, Post-M.S. Nursing Leadership, Doctorate of Nursing Practice, and Post-DNP Nursing Education. To better serve her community, Michael completed a Post-M.S. Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP and Post-DNP Psychiatric-Mental Health NP at Duke University. Michael is a Great 100 Nurse and Bonnie Jones Friedman Humanitarian Award recipient.
    Hoa Nguyen is from Silver Spring, Maryland, and is placed at the National Economic Council and the United States Coast Guard. At Montgomery College, she is an associate professor and chair of the business department, where she helped implement a zero-textbook-cost Business degree, saving students thousands of dollars in education costs. Under her leadership, faculty and students have won multiple local, state and national awards and recognitions. Hoa also co-led numerous initiatives that led to the launch of the Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Taskforce at the college. Hoa received a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Arizona.
    Amnahir Peña-Alcántara is from Bronx, New York, and is placed at the Department of Commerce: National Institute of Standards and Technology. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University funded by the NSF’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship. Her research focuses on polymer blends for stretchable electronics. She graduated from MIT with a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering, and was a researcher at Northwestern University, Oxford University, and MIT. She has interned in wearable technology and textile fabrication companies in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and India.
    Padmini Pillai is from Newton, Massachusetts, and is placed at the Social Security Administration. Padmini is an immunoengineer bridging the gap between discoveries in immunology and advances in biomaterial design to treat human disease. She has led a team at MIT developing a tumor-selective nanotherapy to eliminate hard-to-treat cancers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Padmini was featured in several media outlets including CNBC, The Atlantic, and The New York Times to discuss vaccination, immunity, and the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on vulnerable communities. Padmini received her Ph.D. in immunobiology from Yale University and a B.A. in biochemistry from Regis College.
    Maddy Sharp is from San Diego, California, and is placed at the Office of the Second Gentleman. She is a physician leader committed to securing a healthier and more equitable future for all Americans. She has served as a health policy fellow for Senator Amy Klobuchar and a policy research fellow for Secretary John Kerry. Madison has performed clinical work and research in Nicaragua, Jordan, and the Navajo Nation to reduce health disparities and championed policies to enhance healthcare delivery. She completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Madison holds an M.D. from the Yale School of Medicine and B.A. from Yale University, where she captained the NCAA Division I field hockey team.
    Jason Spencer is from Medford, New York, and is placed at the Department of Commerce. Jason is a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy serving as an Information Warfare and Intelligence Officer. At sea, he was assigned to aircraft carriers and destroyers deployed to the Middle East and Europe. Ashore, Jason served as Targeting Officer and Aide-de-Camp to the Commander of U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and later as Aide-de-Camp to the Commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet in Hawaii. At the Pentagon, he served as Senior Intelligence Briefer for the Chief of Naval Operations – Intelligence Plot and as an Executive Officer to the Joint Staff’s Director for Intelligence. Jason earned a B.A. in international studies and political science from Virginia Military Institute, an M.A. from the Department of War Studies at King’s College London, and an M.P.A. from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
    Nalini Tata is from New York City, New York, and is placed at the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs. She is a neurosurgery resident at New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center/Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she helps treat the spectrum of emergency and elective neurosurgical conditions between a level I trauma center and a world-renowned cancer institute. Her published work spans clinical and non-scientific journals with a focus on advancing equity in access to care. Her career in neurosurgery and long-standing interest in public policy are closely bound by a deep-rooted dedication to public service. She received her BSc in neurobiology from Brown University, MPhil from the University of Cambridge, M.D. from Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, and MPP in Democracy, Politics, and Institutions from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
    Alexander Tenorio is from Los Angeles, California, and is placed at the Department of Veterans Affairs. He is a neurological surgery resident at the University of California, San Diego. He is the proud son of Mexican immigrants and dedicated to improving health disparities. He has led a research team investigating neurological traumatic injuries at the U.S.-Mexico border with his published work featured in the Los Angeles Times and New York Times. In his commitment for health equity, he partnered with Hospital General de Tijuana in Mexico to improve their neurosurgical care. He earned an M.D. from the University of California, San Francisco and B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.
    Zachary White II is from Birmingham, Alabama, and is placed at the Department of Veterans Affairs. He is a Radiation Oncology resident physician and cancer researcher at Stanford University. Passionate about health equity, Zach co-chairs Stanford Medicine’s GME Diversity Committee, promoting diverse medical trainees’ recruitment and development, and provides health education to communities to improve health literacy. Zach graduated summa cum laude from Tuskegee University with a B.S. in biology and earned an M.S. in biomedical and health sciences from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He received his M.D. from the University of South Alabama, where he served as class president.
    Ryan Wisz is from Aiken, South Carolina, and is placed at the Central Intelligence Agency. He is a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy serving as a Submarine Warfare officer. At sea, he has served aboard Attack and Ballistic Missile submarines and has deployed seven times, including missions vital to national security. Ashore, he has served as aide-de-camp to the Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and as the Submarine Squadron Engineer in San Diego, California. Prior to military service, he was a Page in the South Carolina House of Representatives and Senate. He received his B.S. in economics from the University of South Carolina and is a Distinguished Graduate from the Naval Postgraduate School with his MBA and published master’s thesis. He has received numerous personal and unit awards during his Navy service, is active in local tutoring, and passionate about financial education and physical fitness.
    Mark York is a seventh-generation farmer from Lake Wilson, Minnesota, and is placed at the Department of Defense Office of Strategic Capital. He is a Ph.D. candidate in computer science at Harvard, where he researches crowdsourcing and reinforcement learning algorithms in collaboration with MIT. He is the co-founder and President of Farm Yield Africa, a non-profit providing tractor services and microcredit to 1,500 farmers in Ghana since 2016. Mark has worked as a consultant, and before that he led a data science team at a startup building agricultural risk models. He began his career at Cargill as a commodity trader and data scientist. Mark studied agronomy and mathematics at South Dakota State University, where as Student Body President he introduced legislation at the state and local level.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Auckland overnight motorway closures 6 – 11 October 2024

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises of the following closures for motorway improvements. Work delayed by bad weather will be completed at the next available date, prior to Friday, 11 October 2024.

    Please note this traffic bulletin is updated every Friday.

    Daily updated closure information(external link)(external link)

    Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am. Traffic management may be in place before the advertised closure times for the mainline.   

    NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

    • Southbound lanes between Constellation Drive off-ramp and Northcote Road on-ramp, 10 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
      • Constellation Drive southbound on-ramp, 10 October
      • Tristram Avenue southbound on-ramp, 10 October
    • Southbound lanes between Northcote Road off-ramp and Onewa Road on-ramp, 9 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
      • Northcote Road southbound on-ramp, 9 October
      • Esmonde Road southbound on-ramp, 9 October
    • Stafford Road northbound off-ramp, 6-8 October
    • Curran Street northbound on-ramp, 6-8 October

    CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)

    • None planned

    SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

    • Khyber Pass Road southbound on-ramp, 9-10 October
    • Southbound lanes between Greenlane off-ramp and Mt Wellington Highway on-ramp, 6-7 October (approx. 10:30pm to 5:00am)
      • Greenlane southbound on-ramp, 6-7 October
      • Tecoma Street southbound on-ramp, 6-7 October
      • Ellerslie-Panmure Highway southbound on-ramp, 6-7 October
      • Ellerslie-Panmure Highway northbound on-ramp, 6-7 October 
    • Southbound lanes between Mt Wellington Highway off-ramp and East Tamaki Road on-ramp, 8 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
      • Mt Wellington Highway southbound on-ramp, 8 October
      • Princes Street southbound on-ramp, 8 October
      • Highbrook Drive southbound on-ramp, 8 October
    • Manukau northbound off-ramp, 6 October
    • Southbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 6-8 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:30am)
      • Takanini southbound on-ramp, 6-8 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:30am)
      • Papakura (Loop) southbound on-ramp, 6-7 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:30am)
    • Southbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 9-10 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:30am)
      • Takanini southbound on-ramp, 9-10 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:30am)
      • Papakura (Loop) southbound on-ramp, 9-10 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:30am)
      • Papakura (Diamond) southbound on-ramp, 9-10 October (approx. 9:30pm to 5:30am)
    • Papakura northbound off-ramp, 6-7 October
    • Northbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 9-10 October
      • Drury northbound on-ramp, 9-10 October

    NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)

    • Southbound lanes between Waimauku Roundabout and Trigg Road, 6-10 October (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)
    • Northbound lanes between Foster Road and Waimauku Roundabout, 6-10 October (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)

    UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)

    • None planned

    SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)

    • Dominion Road northbound off-ramp, 6-10 October
    • Walmsley Road southbound off-ramp, 10 October
    • Southbound lanes between Puhinui Road off-ramp and SH1 links, 7-10 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
      • Puhinui Road southbound on-ramp, 7-10 October
      • Cavendish Drive southbound on-ramp, 7-10 October
      • Lambie Drive southbound on-ramp, 7-10 October
      • SH20 southbound to SH1 northbound link, 7-10 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
      • SH20 southbound to SH1 southbound link, 7-10 October (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)

    GEORGE BOLT MEMORIAL DRIVE (SH20A)

    • None planned

    PUHINUI ROAD (SH20B)

    • None planned

    STATE HIGHWAY 22 (SH22)

    • None planned

    STATE HIGHWAY 2 (SH2)

    • None planned

    Please follow the signposted detours. NZ Transport Agency thanks you for your co-operation during these essential improvements and maintenance.

    Current overnight closure information(external link)(external link)

    Auckland roads and public transport(external link)

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Activities of Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare during the Preparatory Phase of Special Campaign 4.0

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 OCT 2024 5:30PM by PIB Delhi

    Special Campaign 4.0 was launched by Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG), which is being implemented in two phases namely Preparatory Phase from 16th – 30th September 2024 and Main Phase from 2nd – 31st October, 2024.

    For the Preparatory Phase, Nodal Officer of this Department has already been appointed.  Nodal Offices for all Divisions of this Department and all Subordinate / Attached Offices, PSU, Autonomous Bodies and Authorities under the administrative control of DA&FW have also been appointed.

    During the Preparatory Phase, Nodal Officers of all Division and of Subordinate / Attached Offices, PSU, Autonomous Bodies and Authorities under the administrative control of DA&FW have been asked to identify the pendency and  to furnish the given targets regarding cleanliness sites, space management, disposal of scrap & redundant items, disposal of references from MPs, State Governments, Inter-Ministerial references, Parliament Assurances, PMO References, Public Grievances and its Appeals and Record Management etc.

    During the Preparatory Phase from 16th to 30th Sept., 2024, the following parameters/targets have been identified in respect of the various Divisions of DA&FW and its Subordinate / Attached Offices, PSU, Autonomous Bodies and Authorities for the Special Campaign 4.0:

    S. No.

    Parameters

    Targets
    1.  

    No. of cleanliness campaign sites

    1172
    1.  

    Number of pending references from MPs

    44
    1.  

    Number of pending references from State Governments

    06
    1.  

    Pending Parliamentary Assurances

    15
    1.  

    Pending PMO References

    01
    1.  

    Number of Rules/Processes identifying for simplification

    01
    1.  

    Pending Public Grievances

    4702
    1.  

    Pending PG Appeals

    284
    1.  

    Number of files to be reviewed

    43040
    1.  

    Number of e-files to be reviewed

    1050

     

    The main phases started from today i.e 03.10.2024

    This Department also participated in Swachhta Hi Sewa – 2024 Campaign in which, around 930+ events were organized under SHS-2024. Out of these events, 645+ sub-events were organized under “Swachhta Me Jan Bhagidari” component. Across the country, 63 Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) were identified and under these 63 CTUs, Shramdan and cleanliness drive at 258 locations under Swachhta Lakshit Ekayi, were conducted. 29 Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivirs were organized. 

    On occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on 2nd October, 2024, Shramdan and cleanliness drives was organized at Subordinate / Attached Offices, PSU, Autonomous Bodies and Authorities under the administrative control of this Department.

    Shramdan and cleanliness drive was organized at North Eastern Region Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institute, Biswnath Chariali, District: Biswanath, Assam

    Shramdan and cleanliness drive was organized at Locust cum IMP Centre, Nagaur, Rajasthan.

    In the Implementation Phase from 2nd to 31st October, 2024, all sincere and dedicated efforts will be made to achieve the given targets identified during the Preparatory Phase for Special Campaign 4.0 by all Divisions/Sections and outstation/field offices under the administrative control of DA&FW.

    ****

    S S

    (Release ID: 2061577) Visitor Counter : 49

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cabinet approves the PM Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) to promote sustainable agriculture and Krishonnati Yojana (KY) to achieve food security for self sufficiency

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Cabinet approves the PM Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) to promote sustainable agriculture and Krishonnati Yojana (KY) to achieve food security for self sufficiency

    States given flexibility to reallocate funds from one component to another based on their specific requirement

    Posted On: 03 OCT 2024 8:14PM by PIB Delhi

     The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today approved the proposal of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) for rationalization of all Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) operating under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s into two-umbrella Schemes viz. Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY), a cafeteria scheme and Krishonnati Yojana (KY).  PM-RKVY will promote sustainable agriculture, while KY will address food security & agricultural self-sufficiency. All components shall leverage technology to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the various components.

    The PM Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) and Krishonnati Yojana (KY) will be implemented with total proposed expenditure of Rs.1,01,321.61 crore. These Schemes are implemented through the State Governments.

    This exercise ensures that all the existing schemes are being continued.   Wherever it was considered necessary to give fillip to any area for farmer’s welfare, the scheme has been taken up in Mission mode, for example National Mission for Edible Oil-Oil Palm [NMEO-OP], Clean Plant Program, Digital Agriculture & National Mission for Edible Oil-Oil Seeds [NMEO-OS].

    The scheme Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), a component under the KY, is being modified by adding an additional component namely MOVCDNER- Detailed Project Report (MOVCDNER-DPR), which will provide flexibility to the North Eastern  states  to address critical challenges.

    By rationalization of the schemes, the States are given an opportunity to prepare a Comprehensive Strategic Document on Agriculture Sector of the State in a holistic manner. The Strategic Document focuses not only the production and productivity of the crops but also tackles the emerging issues of Climate Resilient Agriculture and development of Value Chain approach for agricultural commodities. These plans are envisaged to articulate the overall strategy and the schemes/programs, linked with the objectives flowing from the strategic framework.

    The rationalisation of Various Schemes has been undertaken to:

    •      To avoid duplication, ensure convergence and provide flexibility to States.

    •      Focus on emergent challenges of Agriculture – Nutrition security, Sustainability, Climate resilience, value chain development & private sector participation.

    •      State governments will be able to draw a comprehensive strategic plan suiting their requirements for agriculture sector.

    •      Annual Action Plan (AAP) of States can be approved in one go rather approving individual scheme-wise AAPs.

     

    One important change is to provide, in PM-RKVY, the state governments be given flexibility to re-allocate funds from one component to other based on their state specific requirements.

    Out of the total proposed expenditure of Rs.1,01,321.61 crore the projected expenditure towards central share of DA&FW is Rs.69,088.98 crore and states share is Rs.32,232.63 crore. This includes Rs.57,074.72 crore for RKVY and Rs.44,246.89 crore for KY.

    The PM-RKVY comprises of the following schemes:

                    i.        Soil Health Management

                  ii.        Rainfed Area Development 

                 iii.        Agro Forestry

                 iv.        Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana

                  v.        Agricultural Mechanization including Crop Residue Management

                 vi.        Per Drop More Crop

               vii.        Crop Diversification Programme

              viii.        RKVY DPR component

                 ix.        Accelerator Fund for Agri Startups

     

     *****

    MJPS/BM

    (Release ID: 2061649) Visitor Counter : 191

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cabinet Approves National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) for 2024-25 to 2030-31

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Cabinet Approves National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) for 2024-25 to 2030-31

    Mission aims at making India self reliant in seven years in oilseeds’ production

    Mission will introduce SATHI Portal enabling States to coordinate with stakeholders for timely availability of quality seeds

    Posted On: 03 OCT 2024 8:13PM by PIB Delhi

    The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds), a landmark initiative aimed at boosting domestic oilseed production and achieving self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in edible oils. The Mission will be implemented over a seven-year period, from 2024-25 to 2030-31, with a financial outlay of Rs 10,103 crore.

    The newly approved NMEO-Oilseeds will focus on enhancing the production of key primary oilseed crops such as Rapeseed-Mustard, Groundnut, Soybean, Sunflower, and Sesamum, as well as increasing collection and extraction efficiency from secondary sources like Cottonseed, Rice Bran, and Tree Borne Oils. The mission aims to increase primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes (2022-23) to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31. Together with NMEO-OP (Oil Palm), the Mission targets to increase domestic edible oil production to 25.45 million tonnes by 2030-31 meeting around 72% of our projected domestic requirement. This will be achieved by promoting adoption of high-yielding high oil content seed varieties, extending cultivation into rice fallow areas, and promoting intercropping. The Mission will harness ongoing development of high-quality seeds by using cutting-edge global technologies such as genome editing.

    To ensure the timely availability of quality seeds, the Mission will introduce an Online 5-year rolling seed plan through the ‘Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory (SATHI)’ Portal, enabling states to establish advance tie-ups with seed-producing agencies, including cooperatives, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and government or private seed corporations. 65 new seed hubs and 50 seed storage units will be set up in public sector to improve the seed production infrastructure.

    Additionally, over 600 Value Chain Clusters will be developed across 347 unique districts, covering more than 10 lakh hectares annually. These clusters will be managed by value chain partners such as FPOs, cooperatives, and public or private entities. Farmers in these clusters will have access to high-quality seeds, training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and advisory services on weather and pest management.

    The Mission also seeks to expand oilseed cultivation by an additional 40 lakh hectares by targeting rice and potato fallow lands, promoting intercropping, and promoting crop diversification.

    Support will be extended to FPOs, cooperatives, and industry players to establish or upgrade post-harvest units, enhancing recovery from sources such as cottonseed, rice bran, corn oil, and Tree-Borne Oils (TBOs).

    Furthermore, the Mission will promote awareness of recommended dietary guidelines for edible oils through an Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign.

    The Mission aims to significantly enhance domestic oilseed production, advancing the goal of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in edible oils, thereby reducing import dependency and conserving valuable foreign exchange while boosting farmers’ incomes. This mission will also accrue significant environmental benefits in the form of low water usage and improved soil health and making productive use of crop fallow areas.

    Background:

    The country is heavily reliant on imports which account for 57% of its domestic demand for edible oils. To address this dependency and promote self-sufficiency, the Government of India has undertaken a series of measures to enhance domestic production of edible oils, including the launch of National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) with an outlay of Rs 11,040 crore to boost oil palm cultivation in the country in 2021.

    In addition, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for mandated edible oilseeds has been significantly increased to ensure remunerative prices to the oilseed farmers. The continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) ensures that oilseed farmers receive MSP through price support scheme and price deficiency payment scheme. Besides,  20% import duty on edible oils has been imposed to protect domestic producers from cheap imports and encourage local cultivation.

     *****

    MJPS/BM

    (Release ID: 2061646) Visitor Counter : 218

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Administrator Samantha Power at a Press Gaggle in Lviv

    Source: USAID

    ADMINISTRATOR SAMANTHA POWER: I just met with a great group of Ukrainians here at the IT Cluster. This is an innovation hub supported by the Government of Ukraine and by USAID. I have learned from Ukrainian entrepreneurs, and I’ll just give you one example of the kinds of innovations that are happening. 

    Knopka is a member of the IT Cluster here that is revolutionizing medical alert systems. Traditionally, medical alert systems are not wireless. This matters for Ukraine because they would not work during power outages. Power outages have been a real issue for hospitals during the war. So, one Ukrainian entrepreneur here developed a system called “Knopka”. If anything abnormal happens with a patient’s vital signs or the patient indicates that they need care, Knopka sends an alert out to doctors’ and nurses’ phones using cellular data. As long as their phones have some charge left. These doctors and nurses know exactly where to go and who to help us, even when there is no power during the blackout. Knopka technology is 30 percent cheaper than other medical alert systems. While those other systems can often take weeks or even months to install, Knopke’s technology can be installed in just one day. 

    Supported by USAID, Knopka is growing fast. It has already been installed in 30 hospitals in Ukraine and one in Poland, and now Knopka is in talks with hospitals and clinics in Canada and the United States. Those hospitals and clinics are considering acquiring its system, too. Just in the past six months, Knopka’s workforce has expanded from 20 to 35 employees. Knopka’s Founder and CEO said, “Despite the challenges of war, we demonstrate Ukraine’s capacity for innovation and the talent behind it.” 

    So, it is this capacity for innovation that has driven Ukraine’s ability to retain business despite being more than two and a half years into Putin’s brutal invasion. In the tech sector alone, 95 percent of Ukraine’s 5,000 tech companies, including household names like Grammarly and GitLab, have retained their national and global contracts, together powering a full 12 percent of Ukraine’s exports. Since 2022, indeed Ukraine’s tech sector has grown seven percent, contributing $14 billion to Ukraine’s economy.  

    Ukraine’s business leaders in the tech sector and beyond it, are harnessing their creativity and their resilience to lead the country into the future and at USAID, we have been privileged to do what we can to support that effort. Since 2022, we have directly deployed more than $260 million to support businesses in Ukraine, from relocating and restoring the operations of companies on the front lines, to running reskilling programs to train Ukrainians in high demand trades like construction and transportation, to increasing access for businesses and for startups to affordable financing. 

    This support has itself unlocked $232 million in new investments to Ukrainian companies. This helps them expand operations, hire Ukrainians, and this investment allows them to provide much needed tax revenue to support Ukraine’s defense.

    At the same time, we are working closely with our partners in the Ukrainian government to help them shape the business environment. International businesses describe for us the policy and regulatory reforms that they need to be convinced to invest in Ukraine. So, we are working closely with our partners in the Ukrainian government to improve transparency, to reduce opportunities for self-dealing, and to make the judiciary more independent. All of these are critical steps to building confidence that contracts will be honored and investment regulations will be enforced. 

    And finally, we are thrilled to be able to support Ukraine’s ambition to become a global leader in e-governance. As all of you Ukrainians here well know, the revolutionary Diia app that we have supported for years makes it possible for Ukrainians to access all kinds of services. It allows Ukrainian entrepreneurs to register companies, apply for permits, begin procurement processes, and more. By registering on the Diia City platform, Ukrainian and international companies alike, can access benefits that incentivize them to do business in Ukraine – benefits like reduced taxation and legal and financing support. In the first quarter of this year alone, businesses registered on Diia’s City have contributed over four billion Hryvni tax revenue to the Government of Ukraine, that is the equivalent of nearly $100 million. And, these are taxes, of course, that can be used to rebuild schools, to heat homes in winter and to fuel Ukraine’s defense.

    Businesses, like the ones I met with today, are working to build a future where the ingenuity of the Ukrainian people drives progress. Driving that progress not only here in Ukraine, but in places all around the world that will continue to benefit from the products, services, and ideas developed here. 

    Thank you so much, and I look forward to your questions. 

    QUESTION (via translation): How much monetary equivalent has the U.S. government financed in technology in Ukraine and especially western Ukraine?

    ADMINISTRATOR POWER: We will have to get back to you with the precise figure, especially with the geographic breakdown that you are looking for. But, I am sure someone on the team can provide that. 

    QUESTION (via translation): If you think about long term supporting perspective, where does [the] U.S. government see Ukraine in [the] future? Is it technological? Is it [an] agrarian country? Is it a country of construction?  

    ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Thank you for that question. As someone who works at an Agency that addresses food insecurity all around the world, I know firsthand the terrible harm that Putin caused by preventing Ukrainian agricultural exports from leaving Ukraine. I saw kids in sub-Saharan Africa who were hungrier because the food prices went up so much because Ukrainian agricultural exports were blocked by Putin’s forces. So, we are in awe of Ukraine’s farmers and its innovators who have found a way, despite the war, to increase agricultural exports now basically to their pre-war levels. And, we recognize that Ukraine’s farmers, as is evidenced by Ukraine’s flag, are foundational to this country’s economy. Ukraine’s agriculture is also a huge part of Ukraine’s identity, and it is a huge part of keeping people fed around the world. 

    But, what is really exciting about what we see in the Lviv IT Cluster is the diversification of Ukraine’s economy. And, seeing the steady growth of IT services as exports in this country, gives us, I think, an indication of where the future can take Ukraine. There are apparently 307,000 tech professionals now in Ukraine, and that is a seven percent increase from last year. Ukraine is becoming famous all around the world for the Diia app. Many citizens in other countries who see the Diia app are very jealous of Ukrainians. The simplicity and the government accountability that makes life better and easier for citizens is something many countries would wish to have. The more people learn in Silicon Valley and elsewhere about the kind of innovation that is happening at a place like this, the more we will see investment and increased exports in IT services.

    We are, of course, also seeing a lot of innovation in other manufacturing sectors. Because of Russia’s brutal attacks, Ukraine has had to innovate in the defense sector. Even drones, which are being manufactured now in Ukraine, have broad civilian appeal for farmers and other sectors around the world. Ukraine is a home to many critical minerals that provides economic opportunity in the future. And, of course, as Ukraine shifts its energy economy to renewables, that will be something, I’m sure, of great interest outside this country.

    My point is not to specify, again, any particular trajectory for Ukraine. It is simply to take note of the incredible innovation and resources that will power Ukraine’s economy in the future. And, of course, it is young people that will drive even more innovation and more ideas of what can come from Ukraine beyond even what I have mentioned today. When I think of all of the innovation that has occurred in Ukraine, just since the full-scale invasion, I marvel at imagining what this country and the Ukrainian people can do in peacetime. And, now Ukraine is more famous than it was before Putin’s full-scale invasion, for the resilience, but also the creativity and innovation of its people. 

    QUESTION: Ms. Power, I’m very thankful for your generous support that USAID has been giving to both private sector, state institutions, and civil society in Ukraine for years. But, I wanted to ask – I know that from my own feelings – I see that USAID is an institution that is caring [for] both people. And, besides funding, both in trends and investments, we do need people, and we do understand that Ukraine, for boosting its innovations and its economy, needs [to] bring people back. We have six to seven million abroad, we have people dying on the front line, and we have a very low birth rate. Is it something that is in your concern, and that USAID would think about, and would think of some special projects to help, somehow, help this situation.

    ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Well, this is something, actually, I discussed yesterday with President Zelenskyy. It is absolutely critical for Ukraine’s future that its population here is thriving. It is crucial, for example, that the tech professionals who are being groomed here, see themselves as having a full future here where they don’t feel they need to move to Silicon Valley. 

    What USAID is doing is looking at many of the reasons that Ukrainians feel compelled to leave. So, one of the things I discussed with the President is the safety of schools. USAID has invested in refurbishing and rendering more secure around 10,000 bunkers in schools. In Kharkiv, we’ve actually been involved in building a school that is entirely underground because of the situation there. So, education is one example where, as we think about where to make our investments, we do so thinking about a parent who wants nothing more in the world than to keep their children safe. 

    The other core dimension of our work that is designed, of course, to keep people here or to draw people back, is work on helping the economy grow. When people cannot find work, they go to try to find work somewhere else. So, being very specific about which programs can help create jobs for Ukrainians is another example of this kind of work. 

    But, in the future, when peace comes back to Ukraine, there will be tremendous opportunities for jobs and, of course, for people to experience the safety that they once knew. And, that is when we and the European Union and, of course, the government and the people here will need to be very intentional on how we advertise all the opportunities that will exist in what will then be a stronger economy and a stronger democracy.

    This is why the reforms, tackling corruption, strengthening the judiciary, and making the regulatory environment for business more attractive, none of those reforms can wait. And, if that reform effort can continue to progress, it will make Ukraine, on the other side of war, a place that businesses flock to, even more than we are able to get them to come now.

    The very last thing I would say is the obvious, which is a huge part of ensuring or increasing the likelihood that people stay in Ukraine is that the 50-country coalition continues to support Ukraine’s defense. And, that is why the very significant defense package that President Biden just announced is an important part of the answer to your question. More air defense means that citizens can feel safer and that they are less likely to leave the country. That is why we, in the United States, understand that attracting people to stay in Ukraine is a whole-of-U.S.-government enterprise. 

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Department of Labor investigators find Nebraska grain cooperative exposed workers to combustible dust, multiple hazards at Hemingford elevator

    Source: US Department of Labor

    HEMINGFORD, NE ‒ Federal investigators found life-threatening hazards at a Nebraska grain cooperative, where workers faced risks of fire and explosions due to the company allowing a buildup of combustible dust and failing to maintain effective dust collection systems, leading to more than $500,000 in proposed penalties. 

    Investigators with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration responded to a complaint of unsafe working conditions at Legacy Cooperative’s Hemingford grain elevator and opened its inspection in March 2024, under the agency’s regional emphasis program for grain-handling facilities in Nebraska. 

    Specifically, OSHA found the company permitted more than one-eighth inch of grain dust to accumulate in priority housekeeping areas, such as in the bottom belt tunnel and around the elevator legs. The agency also found duct tape wrapped around the dust collection system, located in the bottom belt tunnel, in a makeshift attempt to repair the dust collection system. This reduced the system’s efficiency and increased its vulnerability to failure. If left unchecked, grain dust can ignite in seconds and cause deadly fires and explosions. 

    “Grain dust fires and explosions are a well-known industry hazard, which makes Legacy Grain Cooperative’s failure to control dust where a belt’s friction could easily cause ignition inexcusable,” said OSHA Area Director Matthew Thurlby in Omaha, Nebraska. “Employers must develop company-wide safety procedures to mitigate known grain handling dangers and ensure workers are trained to recognize hazards.”

    OSHA cited Legacy Cooperative for two willful and 22 serious safety and health violations and proposed penalties totaling $536,965 for the following safety failures:

    • Not conducting regular inspections on equipment.
    • Failing to certify completion of preventive maintenance. 
    • Not complying with permit-confirmed space requirements, including developing procedures for entry operations that included hazard evaluations, atmospheric testing, rescue procedures, monitoring and training.
    • Exposing workers to fall hazards from unguarded stairway holes and a lack of handrails.
    • Failing to close electrical openings and improper use of flexible cords.
    • Not providing forklift training as required.
    • Failing to label containers of hazardous chemicals properly.

    Through its alliance program, OSHA has partnered with the Grain Handling Safety Coalition, Grain Elevator and Processing Society and National Grain and Feed Association to address hazards, reduce risks and improve safety and health management systems to help prevent life-altering injuries and fatalities and identify the critical steps for handling grain safely. 

    Established by the merger of Farmer’s Cooperative and Panhandle Cooperative in 2024, the Legacy Cooperative is based in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Its Hemingford elevator was operated by Farmer’s Cooperative previously. 

    The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. 

    Learn more about OSHA and industry-recognized safety rules for agricultural operations. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Britt Announce NCAA Championship Events Return to Birmingham in March 2028

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Katie Britt (R-AL) announced that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) first and second rounds of March Madness men’s and women’s basketball games will return to Birmingham on March 17-19, 2028.
    This announcement follows the letter Senators Tuberville and Britt sent to NCAA President Charlie Baker advocating for future events to be held in Alabama.
    “The State of Alabama has a long legacy of supporting intercollegiate athletics. Birmingham has the facilities, businesses, and infrastructure to make this a successful tournament. Our state is no stranger to the spotlight of big games and I’m confident fans from across the country will enjoy their time in Birmingham,” said Senator Tuberville.
    “This is a slam dunk for Birmingham. I am thrilled the first two rounds of March Madness in 2028 will be held in our great state,” said Senator Britt. “I was proud to join Senator Tuberville and local officials in advocating for the NCAA to pick the Magic City. I look forward to the tournament, and wouldn’t be surprised if more than one of Alabama’s incredible teams end up kicking off their road to the Final Four in our home state.”
    BACKGROUND:
    From 1982 through 2008, Birmingham was a stop on the road to the Final Four 11 times, 10 for men’s basketball and once for women’s basketball. 
    After a nearly 15-year hiatus, Birmingham hosted the first and second-round games of March Madness in 2023. It was a huge success with every game being sold out and both Auburn and Alabama playing in the tournament. The city also hosted the 2022 World Games. The City of Birmingham recently completed a $125 million renovation of the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center.
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.
    Senator Katie Britt represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, and Rules and Administration Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Web Portal from Senator Reverend Warnock Provides One-Stop Shop Resources to Help Georgians Recover from Hurricane Helene

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    New Web Portal from Senator Reverend Warnock Provides One-Stop Shop Resources to Help Georgians Recover from Hurricane Helene

    Senator Reverend Warnock debuted a new web resource page to with clearinghouse of Federal and state programs providing hurricane recovery assistance throughout Georgia, from food to health care to relief for farmers
    Senator Reverend Warnock: “Georgians need urgent help, and I’m thankful my staff was able to put together this important list of resources to get Georgians the assistance needed to recover from Hurricane Helene”

    Click HERE for Senator Reverend Warnock’s Hurricane Helene Resource Page
    Washington, D.C. – As Georgians across the state continue working to recover from Hurricane Helene’s devastating landfall, today U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) announced a new comprehensive web resource to help Georgians navigate federal and state programs that are providing assistance to people and communities impacted by the storm. The Senator’s new Hurricane Helene Resource Page, located on the Senator’s official website, is updated regularly with new information and designed to help Georgians get the help they need—from securing immediate necessities like food, water, health care, and shelter, to the latest guidance on how to report damages to their homes, businesses, or farms, and spotting frauds and scams.
    “My office and I have been on the ground and in frequent contact with communities in every corner of the state as recovery efforts continue, and this new web resource is one more step in our unending work to deliver all of the federal assistance needed to help Georgians come out stronger on the other side of this crisis,” said Senator Warnock. “Our work is just beginning to help families and communities rebuild, and while I’m pushing to make sure Washington is doing everything it can for our state, we’ll keep updating this web resource with the latest information to help connect Georgians with the assistance and support they need following Hurricane Helene’s devastation.” 
    Senator Warnock has been active in Georgia’s Hurricane Helene response efforts. Earlier this week, Senator Warnock traveled to Augusta to deliver needed supplies and survey the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, participating in a roundtable with community leaders and members at Golden Harvest Food Bank, touring storm damage around Augusta, and handing off cases of bottled water to local volunteers and residents at Tabernacle Baptist Church. 
    Additionally, ahead of Hurricane Helene’s landfall in Georgia, Senator Warnock and his office had been in touch with state and local leaders to offer support, and in the storm’s devastating aftermath have stayed in frequent contact with elected officials, hospital leaders, and other community leaders across the state to address the needs and provide support, including delivering water, power, and other necessary supplies. Since the storm’s landfall, the Senator has worked urgently to use the tools of the federal government to provide swift and robust support to impacted Georgia families and communities, including successfully pushing President Biden to approve an emergency disaster declaration and most recently joining his Georgia congressional delegation colleagues to urge the President to “promptly” make a major disaster declaration that will unlock additional aid and support for Georgians in need; at their request the Administration has approved several Georgia counties for individual and public disaster assistance, and are actively working to approve assistance for all of Georgia’s counties impacted by the storm. Additionally, as a member of the Senate Agriculture committee, Senator Warnock has been a vocal advocate for additional disaster aid to support Georgia’s farmers, and has called for the Senate to take up and pass legislation to provide additional relief as soon as possible.
    Access Senator Warnock’s Hurricane Helene Resource Page HERE, which will be updated accordingly as new information is made available. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Empty podium: Adam Gray dodges first CA-13 debate

    Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –

    October 3, 2024

    Adam Gray dodging last night’s Spanish-language debate in Mendota showed he would rather hide than face tough questions about his record of raising the gas tax and food costs.

    “Self-serving Sacramento politician Adam Gray prefers to run from tough questions than explain why he repeatedly voted to make the cost of living more expensive for hardworking Valley families.” – NRCC Spokesperson Ben Petersen

    In case you missed it…

    Duarte debates empty podium, Gray skips Mendota’s Spanish-language debate
    SJV Sun
    Reid Stone

    Latino voters in the hotly-contested 13th Congressional District fumed over former Asm. Adam Gray’s (D–Merced) decision to skip out on the nationally-watched race’s sole Spanish-translated debate. 

    Driving the news: The Mendota Chamber of Commerce hosted a debate for the 13th District on Wednesday evening, but only Rep. John Duarte (R–Modesto) showed up. 

    Duarte is running for reelection against Gray in a rematch from 2022 that was separated by only 564 votes, one of the closest in the nation. 

    Despite Gray’s no-show, the Chamber of Commerce went ahead with the event with only Duarte.

    The big picture: California’s 13th Congressional District is one of a handful of so-called “majority-making” races in the 2024 contest to control the House of Representatives.

    Duarte squeaked out a victory against Gray in 2022, winning the nation’s closest House contest that year and helping cement a slim majority for now-former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

    Since his election, Duarte has carved a staunch moderate stance. He was ranked the most moderate Republican in the House, per rankings from the conservative Heritage Foundation.

    What they’re saying: Mendota Mayor Victor Martinez was not surprised Gray did not attend the debate. 

    “It’s not a surprise that Adam Gray did not show up for our Latino community,” Martinez said. “He never does. That’s why I’m supporting Congressman Duarte. He is always here for us when we need him. Our community is behind John because he supports us.” 

    Other 13th District voters agreed with Martinez, arguing that the ex-Assemblyman’s no-show indicates Gray does not care about the Latino community. 

    “He turns his back on the Latino community every chance he gets,” voter Alex Chavez said. “Just look at his ads, they have fancy sheriffs, big farmers, and rich guys, but never people who look like me. Adam Gray isn’t for the Latino community and everyone knows it.”

    Voter Yoshi Trujillo said, “Makes sense that Adam Gray didn’t show up tonight. Sure, it’s the only opportunity for people in our community to hear from him in our language, but that isn’t important to him clearly. He has lost a lot of support from people around here who know that he doesn’t like our Latino community.”

    Read more here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NSW will remove 65,000 years of Aboriginal history from its syllabus. It’s a step backwards for education

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Westaway, Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Archaeology, School of Social Science, The University of Queensland

    The NSW Education Standards Authority has announced that teaching of the Aboriginal past prior to European arrival will be excluded from the Year 7–10 syllabus as of 2027.

    Since 2012, the topic “Ancient Australia” has been taught nationally in Year 7 as part of the Australian Curriculum. In 2022, a new topic called the “deep time history of Australia” was introduced to provide a more detailed study of 65,000 years of First Nations’ occupation of the continent.

    However, New South Wales has surprisingly dropped this topic from its new syllabus, which will be rolled out in 2027. Instead, students will only learn First Nations’ history following European colonisation in 1788.

    This directly undermines the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration of 2020. This is a national agreement, signed by education ministers from all jurisdictions, which states:

    We recognise the more than 60,000 years [sic] of continual connection by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as a key part of the nation’s history, present and future.

    If the planned change to the syllabus goes through, the only Aboriginal history taught to NSW students would be that which reflects the destruction of traditional Aboriginal society. It also means Aboriginal students in NSW will be denied a chance to learn about their deep ancestral past.

    The significance of Australia’s deep time past

    Bruce Pascoe’s groundbreaking 2014 book Dark Emu (which sold more than 500,000 copies), and the associated documentary, have highlighted an enormous appetite for learning about Australia’s deep time past.

    Hundreds of thousands of Australians engaged with Dark Emu. As anthropologist Paul Memmott notes, the book prompted a debate that encouraged a better understanding of Aboriginal society and its complexity.

    It also generated research that investigated whether terms such as “hunter-gatherers” are appropriate for defining past Aboriginal society and economic systems.



    Read more:
    Farmers or foragers? Pre-colonial Aboriginal food production was hardly that simple

    In schools, teachers have used Pascoe’s book Young Dark Emu to introduce students to sophisticated land and aquaculture systems used by First Peoples prior to colonisation.

    The book raises an important question. If you lived in a country that invented bread and the edge-ground axe – a culture that independently developed early trade and social living – and did all of this without resorting to land war – wouldn’t you want your children to know about it?

    For many students, the history they learn at school is knowledge they carry into their adult lives – and knowledge is the strongest antidote to ignorance. Rather than abandoning the Aboriginal deep time story, schools should be encouraging students to engage with it.

    Learning on Country

    One of the strengths of the current NSW history syllabus is the requirement for students to undertake a “site study” in Years 8 and 9. Currently, NSW is the only jurisdiction that has made this mandatory.

    Site studies are an excellent opportunity for students to learn on Country. Many teachers organise excursions to Aboriginal cultural sites where students can directly engage with local Traditional Owners and Elders.

    New South Wales is brimming with sites of cultural significance to Aboriginal people. The map below highlightssome of these, ranging from megafauna sites, to extensive fish traps, to the enigmatic rock art galleries and ceremonial engravings (petroglyphs).

    How students will miss out

    The Ngambaa people and archaeologists from the University of Queensland are currently investigating one of the largest midden complexes in Australia. This complex, located at Clybucca and Stuart’s Point on the north coast, spans some 14 kilometres and dates back to around 9,000 years ago.

    Middens, or “living sites”, are accumulations of shell that were built over time through thousands of discarded seafood meals. Since the shells help reduce the acidic chemistry of the soil, animal bones and plant remains are more likely to be preserved in middens.

    For instance, the Clybucca-Stuarts Point midden complex contains remains from seals and dugongs. Both of these animals were once part of the local ecosystem, but no longer are.

    The middens also extend back to before the arrival of dingoes, so studying them could help us understand how biodiversity changed once dingoes replaced thylacines and Tasmanian devils on the mainland.

    Local school students, especially Aboriginal students, will be actively participating in this cutting-edge research alongside the Ngambaa people, archaeologists and teachers. Among other things, the students will learn how the Ngambaa people sustainably managed land and sea Country over thousand of years during periods of dramatic environmental change.

    But innovative programs like this will no longer be as relevant if Australia’s deep time history is removed from the NSW syllabus.

    An opportunity for leadership

    The study of First Nations archaeological sites, history and cultures tells us a broader human story of continuity and adaptability over deep time. Indigenising the curriculum – wherein Aboriginal knowledge is braided with historical and archaeological inquiry – is a powerful way to reconcile different approaches to understanding the past.

    The NSW Education Standards Authority’s proposed changes risk sending young people the message that Australia’s “history” before colonisation is not an important part of the country’s historic narrative.

    But there is still time to show leadership – by reversing the decisions and by connecting teachers and students to powerful stories from Australia’s deep time past.

    Michael Westaway receives funding from the Australian Research Council and Humanities and Social Science at the University of Queensland .

    Bruce Pascoe is the author of the texts mentioned in this article, Dark Emu and Young Dark Emu: A Truer History. He also has positions on the boards of Black Duck Foods, the Twofold Aboriginal Corporation and First Languages Australia.

    Louise Zarmati receives research funding from the ARC Centre of Excellence of Australian Biodiversity and Heritage.

    – ref. NSW will remove 65,000 years of Aboriginal history from its syllabus. It’s a step backwards for education – https://theconversation.com/nsw-will-remove-65-000-years-of-aboriginal-history-from-its-syllabus-its-a-step-backwards-for-education-240111

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 216-2024: Scheduled Service Disruption: Friday 04 October to Saturday 05 October 2024 – Biosecurity Portal

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    04 October 2024

    Who does this notice affect?

    Approved arrangements operators, customs brokers, importers, manned depots, and freight forwarders who will be required to book and manage requests for import inspections using the Biosecurity Portal during this scheduled maintenance window.

    Approved arrangements operators who will be required to view electronic government certificates (eCertificates) and relevant attachments online as part of document assessment for imported…

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Dangerous Driving – Coolalinga

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Northern Territory Police have charged a man after a dangerous driving incident in Coolalinga overnight.

    Around 9:10pm, Darwin Traffic Operations were conducting speed enforcement duties along the Stuart Highway, Coolalinga, when a blue Holden Commodore utility  was detected travelling at 122 km/hr in a posted 80 km/hr zone.

    Police followed the offending vehicle along the Stuart Highway up until the Lambrick Avenue intersection, at which time a traffic apprehension was attempted. The vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated through the Palmerston suburbs of Zuccoli, Rosebery, Gunn and Bakewell.

    Tyre Deflation Devices were deployed on Lambrick Avenue near the intersection of Hutchison Terrace at which time the vehicle came to a stop. The driver refused  to exit the vehicle resulting in him being extracted and arrested.  

    The 42-year-old man has since been charged with:

    • Exceed speed limit 31 – 45 km/hr over
    • Fail to obey direction of Police officer
    • Resist Police in execution of duty
    • Drive under the influence of drugs
    • Not stop at stop sign
    • Exceed speed limit 01-15 km/hr over

    Senior Sergeant Devrim Kanyilmaz said “ This was an incredibly dangerous driver that was putting himself, other motorists and police at risk.

    “ There is absolutely zero excuse for this behaviour on our roads and I commend the officers involved who no doubt averted a potentially fatal incident from occurring. ”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Navy Unit in Singapore Recognizes Guyana, Brooklyn Native as Top Sailor

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Once a young boy from Brooklyn, petty officer first class Jamal Thompson’s journey began with the dreams of his Guyanese parents who sought freedom, democracy, and prosperity in New York City. As he grew up, he found solace in the cheers for the New York Yankees and the rhythm of music from Nas. Venturing south to Gordon State College in Barnesville, Georgia, he not only found love in meeting his future spouse, but also discovered his calling by joining the U.S. Navy. Fast forward seven years, Brooklyn’s finest, Thompson, stood tall as he was honored with the prestigious title of the 2023 U.S. Navy Sailor of the Year (S.O.Y.) for Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 (COMLOG WESTPAC/CTF-73) in Singapore. Equipped with a no-nonsense New York state of mind, Thompson was unanimously recognized as S.O.Y. by senior leaders for operating as a personified Swiss Army knife, successfully balancing five jobs simultaneously in a single calendar year.
    “I’m honored to be the CTF-73 Sailor of the Year, yet, I take more pride in serving and caring for my Sailors,” said Thompson. “Whether it is ensuring their award recognition or helping them achieve their goals, I’m there to serve and support. Whether their ambitions are to be a chief petty officer, a commissioned officer, or to transition to the corporate world, I take pride in helping junior personnel reach their professional goals, whether in the Navy or after.”
    Thompson practices what he preaches, as in 2023, he operated as second in command for CTF-73’s human resources (admin) department, where he approved hundreds of urgent travel claims for personnel. He also served as a victim’s advocate for the command’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program while operating as the then-elected president of the non-profit first class petty officer association (FCPOA). Thompson continued setting the example by also leading weekly early morning group fitness sessions for fellow Sailors and Marines through a program called Sailor 360, and stood over 100 hours of security watch — often on nights and weekends.
    “Sailor 360 coordinator is my favorite collateral duty because I can impact the entire command with just 30 minutes of morning fitness,” said Thompson. “It’s a great way to let our hair down because of the physicality of the workouts before we all start the workday. I never waste anyone’s time because I truly enjoy helping co-workers improve themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually.”
    The six-foot four Brooklynite who grew up in a predominantly Caribbean-cultured household, credits his unmatched work ethic to his upbringing and “humble beginnings, where I saw a lot of people financially struggle,” he said.
    According to the American Forces Network (AFN), Thompson is among the approximately 19 percent of Hispanic Americans currently serving in the Armed Forces today. Cuban-born Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro echoed this year’s theme, ‘Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together’, when he said, “Hispanic Americans have had a profound and positive influence on our country. As we discover more of these stories and honor their ultimate impact, we enrich our understanding and strengthen our collective identity.”
    Thompson identifies as Guyanese-American or Afro-Latino, with his collective South American, Caribbean, and North American identities making him the man he is today. A man whose profound influence is strengthening the U.S. Navy by investing in his fellow Sailors in Southeast Asia.
    When Thompson isn’t juggling multiple roles, he says he likes to enjoy the sights and tastes of Singapore with his spouse and young children because “it reminds me of home with the train system and the melting pot of different cultures. You can walk the streets of downtown and hear countless different languages: Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, French, Japanese, or English. Singapore feels a lot like New York.” Thompson says he also enjoys the Lion City’s spicy Indian cuisine as it “reminds me of the food I ate growing up like Roti and Chicken Curry,” he said.
    While Thompson is more than 15,000 kilometers from the Big Apple and over 17,000 kilometers from South America, he says childhood lessons from his heritage are always with him, regardless of his geographic location. Thompson says he was taught, “Haz con los demás, lo que te gustaría que te hicieran a ti, or in other words, ’Just pay it forward.’ We don’t need to backstab or belittle to get ahead in the workplace. If you continue to work hard to the best of your ability, everything will work itself out.”
    Thompson is living proof of how the U.S. Navy is strengthened by the diversity and inclusion of our people from the rich tapestry of the United States. Thompson plans to continue his humble servant-style leadership at his forthcoming duty station in Spain where he aspires to promote to the rank of chief petty officer.
    For more information on Sailors and Marines like Thompson serving in Singapore, visit https://www.clwp.navy.mil/

    [END]

    Date Taken: 09.23.2024
    Date Posted: 10.04.2024 00:10
    Story ID: 482499
    Location: SG
    Hometown: BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, US
    Web Views: 5
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    This work, U.S. Navy Unit in Singapore Recognizes Guyana, Brooklyn Native as Top Sailor, by PO2 Moises Sandoval, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: AFCD urges grave sweepers to prevent hill fires

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    AFCD urges grave sweepers to prevent hill fires
    AFCD urges grave sweepers to prevent hill fires
    ***********************************************

         The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (October 4) reminded people paying tribute to ancestors at graveyards in the countryside during the Chung Yeung Festival period to exercise caution and prevent hill fires.     An AFCD spokesman said it is an offence under the Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96) to leave behind kindling or burn offerings without considering fire risks in the countryside. Any person who contravenes the ordinance may be prosecuted and is liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and one year’s imprisonment upon conviction.     AFCD staff will step up patrols at graveyards in the countryside during the Chung Yeung Festival period and take enforcement action against any irregularities.     The majority of hill fires in the countryside are caused by human negligence. Accidents can be prevented if grave sweepers observe some simple guidelines:* Remove weeds around graves with tools and never burn weeds;* Burning should only be done inside a container or iron bucket;* Never leave burning offerings unattended; and* Make sure all kindling is put out before leaving.     The spokesman said that metal containers for burning offerings properly will be handed out to grave sweepers who have such a need at suitable locations in country parks during the Chung Yeung Festival. The AFCD will also patrol hill fire black spots and distribute hill fire prevention leaflets together with the Fire Services Department, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Civil Aid Service.     Members of the public are reminded to keep the countryside clean and properly clean up their offerings or rubbish.

     
    Ends/Friday, October 4, 2024Issued at HKT 11:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Third call for submissions on the Regulatory Systems (Primary Industries) Amendment Bill

    Source: New Zealand Parliament

    The policy objective of this omnibus bill is to improve regulatory systems related to primary industries, by ensuring that they are effective and efficient, and that they accord with best regulatory practice.

    The committee is calling for submissions on new amendments proposed by the Minister of Agriculture. These amendments are further to those suggested by the Minister in March 2024. These new proposed amendments can be found on the Parliament website here. The committee is also happy to receive any further submissions on the amendments in the bill as introduced or on the Minister’s previously suggested amendments. The submissions received by the committee in response to its first and second call for submissions can be found on the Parliament website here.

    Tell the Primary Production Committee what you think

    Make a submission on the bill by 11.59pm on Friday 18 October 2024.

    For more details about the bill:

    ENDS

    For media enquiries contact:

    Primary Production Committee secretariat

    pp@parliament.govt.nz

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Extra Government support for farmers and growers in Southland and parts of Otago

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson announced up to $50,000 in additional Government support for farmers and growers across Southland and parts of Otago as challenging spring weather conditions have been classified a medium-scale adverse event.

    “The relentless wet weather has been tough on farmers and animals across Southland and in Otago in an already challenging year,” Mr McClay says.

    “Torrential rain over the past 24 hours has caused further flooding, exacerbating already sodden conditions. With parts of Southland receiving more than 200 per cent of average September rainfall.”

    The Government is working with sector groups and the local Otago and Southland Rural Support Trusts to roll out more support for farmers, growers, and rural communities in Southland and Otago. 

    “This targeted support will include using a local co-ordinator to help organise recovery and wellbeing events. 

    “It’s important we help farmers and growers who have shown great resilience through these weather events, by providing additional specialised advice or access to wellbeing support where needed,” Mr McClay says.

    “The prolonged effects of this wet and cold weather take a toll on our hard-working rural communities, and I encourage people to check-in with their family, neighbours, staff, and to ask for help if you, or someone you know, needs it.”

    The medium-scale adverse event classification covers the entire Southland region and the Clutha District in Otago, but conditions in other areas continue to be monitored closely.

    Mr Patterson says today’s funding comes on top of extra annual funding of $250,000 announced for Rural Support Trusts in June, ensuring additional support for farmers facing personal, financial, and weather-related challenges.

    “Our extra funding provides the Rural Support Trust with continued confidence to respond quickly to situations, like what we’re seeing in the lower South Island. 

    “We will continue to assess whether further support is needed as the full extent of damage from these events becomes more apparent over the coming weeks,” Mr Patterson says.

    Farmers and growers who require support are encouraged to contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.

    Helpful links and numbers:

    • DairyNZ: 0800 4 DairyNZ (0800 432 479 69)
    • Beef + Lamb New Zealand: 0800 BEEFLAMB (0800 233 352)
    • Federated Farmers: 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646)
    • Farmers who require wellbeing support can contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 RURAL HELP or 0800 787 254

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Activist News – 40 events in 29 centres across the country this weekend will mark the 12-month anniversary of Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza

    Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

     

    Protests across the country this weekend will mark the 12-month anniversary of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. 

     

    “We are incredibly proud of New Zealanders who have come out week after week for 12 months to stand with Palestine” says PSNA National Chair John Minto. “As far as we are aware this long-term pattern of solidarity has no precedent in New Zealand’s past”

     

    “The protests have shown the absolute best of kiwi humanity”

     

    “Meanwhile the Luxon government has been shameful and cowardly” says Minto. “It is blindly following the US lead and condemning every act of Palestinian resistance while refusing to utter a single word of condemnation of the rogue state of Israel which has been actively inciting a wider war in the Middle East.”

     

    Israel is dangerous. It is out of control and armed to the teeth by western countries – almost certainly including New Zealand through Auckland’s Rakon Limited.

     

    We are aware of threats by the pro-Israel fringe to disrupt Palestine solidarity action this weekend but we will not be deterred. We have written to the police in the expectation they will deal with anyone making threats against the movement which has a 12-month record of peaceful protest and relentless solidarity with Palestine.

     

    We will be exercising out rights to protest under the Bill of Rights Act and expect the police to take appropriate action to protect those rights.

     

    The demands from the marchers will be for accountability for Israel in line with international law and the rulings of the International Court of Justice which just this year has ruled Israel must

     

    • stop any acts of genocide
    • withdraw its troops from Gaza
    • end its unlawful occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territories

     

    The 40 events across the motu for this week are on the PSNA Facebook events page here with the basic details given below.

     

    John Minto

    National Chair

    Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

     

    North Island

    Opononi – Rally for Palestine

    Sunday 6 October

    1:30 pm

    Outside the Four Square, Opononi

     

    Kerikeri – Rally

    Saturday 5 October

    9am-11am

    Kerikeri roundabout, State Highway 10

     

    Kerikeri – Israelism Film Screening

    Sunday 6 October

    3pm

    Cornerstone Church, 144 Kerikeri Road

     

    Whangarei – Vigil

    Monday 7 October

    7pm

    Whangarei Town Basin

     

    Waiheke – Market Stall – hosted by Stand With Palestine Waiheke!

    Every Saturday

    8:00 am – 1:00 pm

    Ostend Market, Waiheke Island

     

    Auckland – Obela Picket

    Friday 4 October

    12:00 pm

    Outside Woolworths Supermarket, Victoria St West

     

    Auckland – Banners around Tamaki Makaurau

    Saturday 5 October

    9 am – 12 Noon

    Bond Street overbridge

     

    Auckland – Rally at Britomart

    Saturday 5 October

    2:00 pm

    Te Komititanga – Britomart Square

     

    Auckland – Vigil

    Monday 7 October

    4-6pm

    Outside TVNZ, Corner Hobson Street and Victoria Street West

     

    Thames – Vigil 

    Saturday 5 October

    10am

    Thames Market, 700 Pollen Street

     

    Tauranga – Flag waving

    No flag waving this weekend

     

    Tauranga – Candlelight Vigil

    Monday 7 October

    6:30pm (Mural painting from 5:30pm, weather permitting)

    Beach by Moturiki/Leasure Island

     

    Hamilton – Rally

    No rally this weekend

     

    Hamilton – 12km Walk for Palestine and T-shirt Painting

    Saturday 5 October

    11am

    Claudelands Park (corner of Heaphy Tce & Boundary Rd)

     

    Whāingaroa/Raglan – Cultural Day – Film Screening, Food, and more

    Sunday 6 October

    10:00am

    Raglan Old School Art Centre

     

    Cambridge – Rally for Palestine

    Every Saturday

    11:00 am

    Cambridge Town Hall

     

    Gisborne – Farmers Market – Vigil to Stop the war on Children

    Every Saturday

    9:30 – 11:30 am

    Gisborne Farmers Market

     

    Rotorua – Rally for Palestine

    Every Thursday

    4:00 pm

    Rotorua Lakes Council, Haupapa Street (Sir Howard Morrison Corner)

     

    Napier – Rally for Palestine

    Saturday 5 October

    11:30 am

    Marine Parade Soundshell Roundabout

     

    Hastings – Rally for Palestine

    No rally this weekend

     

    Palmerston North – Rally for Palestine

    Sunday 6 October

    2:00 pm 

    The Square, Palmerston North

     

    New Plymouth – Flags on the Bridge

    Friday 4 October

    4:30 pm

    Paynters Ave Bridge

     

    New Plymouth – March for Gaza

    Saturday 5 October

    1:00 pm

    The Landing, 1 Ariki Street, New Plymouth

     

    Whanganui – Rally for Palestine

    Saturday 5 October

    11:00 am

    Riverside Market, Whanganui

     

    Carterton – Gathering for Gaza

    Every Tuesday

    12:00 midday

    Memorial Square.

     

    Martinborough – Vigil for Palestine

    Every Wednesday

    11:00 am

    Memorial Square at the top of Kitchener St, Martinborough

     

    Masterton – Gathering for Gaza

    Every Sunday

    9:30 am

    Town Hall Lawn

     

    Wellington – Vigil for Palestine (by Aotearoa Healthcare Workers for Palestine)

    Every Friday

    6:00 pm

    In front of Wellington Hospital

    49 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington

     

    Wellington – Flags on the Bridge

    (hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)

    Every Friday

    7:15 – 8:15 am

    Hill Street bridge Overbridge, Wellington

     

    Wellington – Obela boycott protest and hīkoi 

    (hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)

    Saturday 5 October

    1:00pm

    Waitangi Park

     

    Wellington – Rally and March

    Sunday 6th October

    12pm 

    Pukeahu War Memorial marching to Odlins Plaza

    (Organised by Justice for Palestine and Alternative Jewish Voices)

     

    South Island

    Nelson – Rally for Palestine

    Saturday 5 October

    11 am

    1903 Square

     

    Blenheim – Rally for Palestine

    Saturday 5 October

    11:00 am

    Blenheim Railway Station

     

    Christchurch – Flag waving

    Wednesday 2 October

    4-5:30 pm

    Sumner, cnr Beachville Road and Main Road

     

    Christchurch – Flag waving

    Friday 4 October

    4-6 pm

    Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch

     

    Christchurch – Rally for Palestine

    Saturday 5 October

    1:00 pm

    Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch

     

    Timaru

    No Rally this weekend

     

    Greymouth – Rally for Palestine

    Sunday 6 October

    5pm

    Greymouth Town Square

     

    Dunedin – Vigil for Palestine

    Sunday 6 October

    6pm

    The Octagon

     

    Queenstown 
    No Rally this weekend

     

    Invercargill – Rally for Palestine

    Sunday 6 October

    1:00 pm

    Wachner place Invercargill.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Wairarapa Police are getting tough on poachers

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Acting Sergeant Nick Bunny, Community and Rural Manager.

    Wairarapa Police are stepping up their efforts to target poachers and hope recent convictions encourage rural communities to break the silence.

    Police are ramping up patrols on rural roads across the Wairarapa and are stopping all vehicles that they come across, says Acting Sergeant Nick Bunny, Wairarapa Community and Rural Manager.

    In the past year, Wairarapa Police have charged a number of people with poaching. Offenders face prosecution in court, having their firearms licence revoked, equipment seized, and firearms destroyed.

    “Poaching is a significant issue for our rural communities, and it’s a problem that’s grossly under-reported. Our latest efforts to fight back against it include patrols of rural roads, where we will be stopping vehicles and speaking with the occupants.

    “We’re not playing around. Poaching has real effects and offenders will face real-world consequences. If we catch you poaching or illegally hunting, your rifles, ammunition and other equipment will be confiscated, and you could be charged with firearms offences.”

    Message for rural communities: help us help you

    To get a sense of the scale of the poaching problem, Police spoke with farmers and rural communities, Acting Sergeant Bunny said.

    “From those discussions we’ve become aware that a lot of unlawful hunting incidents aren’t being reported. A lot of people believe Police are too busy or won’t show up. In those same conversation, almost every farmer we spoke with had a story of hearing gunshots at night, had seen suspicious activity or noticed suspicious vehicles driving on rural roads at odd times.”

    Reporting gives Police a valuable insight into where crime and suspicious activity was occurring, Acting Sergeant Bunny said.

    “When you report suspicious or illegal activity, it builds a picture for us of where our focus needs to be – we really need the rural community to help us by making those reports as soon as possible.”

    Suspicious or illegal activity should be reported to 111 if it’s happening now. If it’s after the fact, make a report online at http://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 or call 105.

    Action by Wairarapa Police has resulted in significant sentences being handed down to convicted poachers.

    Earlier this year, a man pleaded guilty to unlawful hunting, entering agricultural land with intent to commit a crime after being caught by Police illegally hunting at an address in Hinakura, South Wairarapa. The firearms and equipment Police seized were destroyed, and the firearms licence holder had his licence revoked.

    Police put poachers on notice

    “Our focus won’t stop here. With the start of spring, mating season and new grass growth the Wairarapa Rural Policing Team have recently started night patrols, targeting known poaching and illegal hunting areas,” Acting Sergeant Bunny says.

    “The Wairarapa is made up of rural farming communities and we need these communities to feel safe and prepared to report poaching or suspicious activity.”

    Working with farmers

    Police are happy to talk to local farmers interested in setting up rural watch networks, or installing cameras to identify poachers and vehicles.

    Anyone interested can email: nicholas.bunny@police.govt.nz

    For more information on how to safely handle a firearm please follow this link: http://www.firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz/firearms-safety/7-rules-firearm-safety

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Rural News – Support welcomed for southern farmers – Federated Farmers

    Source: Federated Farmers

    Federated Farmers is welcoming the announcement of extra Government support for farmers and growers in Southland and parts of Otago.
    Up to $50,000 in additional Government support is being provided for farmers and growers across Southland and parts of Otago as challenging weather conditions have been classified a medium-scale adverse event.
    Federated Farmers Otago president Luke Kane says the funding is a morale boost for farmers going through a very tough time.
    “I think wellbeing support for farmers is where this funding is best directed right now, because we’re really battling down here and the mood is low.
    “Unless someone can give us 10 days of sunshine, then helping farmers with that valuable mental health support is what we need most.
    “We’re just hoping this weather will pass quickly, the water will subside, and this might be the end of what’s been a very hard six weeks for big chunks of our provinces.
    “There are certainly some issues here and Rural Support Trust’s work will be really, really important in the coming weeks.”
    Southland Federated Farmers president Jason Herrick says the Government’s announcement means a lot to farmers on the ground.
    “It’s so helpful just to know we’re being thought of – that’s huge for morale.
    “Sometimes you just need to know that the rest of the country knows what you’re going through.”
    Herrick says the extra Government funding will enable Rural Support Trust to continue helping farmers through trying times.
    “At the end of the day, it’s not so much financial support that farmers need right now – it’s mental health support, and that’s what Rural Support Trust are there for.
    “Once the water goes down and things dry out a bit, that’s when farmers will really need the help. That’s when things will hit home.”
    Federated Farmers is working closely other agencies and monitoring the situation in Otago and Southland today.
    It encourages any farmers who need help to contact Rural Support Trust 0800 787 254, Federated Farmers on 0800 327 646, their milk supply companies, DairyNZ and/or Beef + Lamb. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Afreximbank approves US$20.8 million for Starlink Global’s cashew factory project in Lagos

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    CAIRO, Egypt, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ —

    African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has approved a US$20.8 million financing facility for Nigeria-based Starlink Global & Ideal Limited to enable the company construct and operate a 30,000-metric tonne per annum cashew processing factory in Lagos.

    According to the facility agreement signed in on July 22, 2024, Afreximbank will provide the funds in two tranches with the first tranche of US$7.48M going toward capital expenditure for the construction of the factory and the second, totalling US$13.25M to be deployed as working capital for the operations of the factory.

    The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs once the factory becomes operational. It is also expected to support about 40 small and medium-sized enterprises.

    Commenting on the transaction, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra Africa Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said that by supporting Starlink Global to establish a modern processing facility, Afreximbank is making it possible for Africa to add value to its agro-commodities, thereby facilitating exports and subsequent inflow of much-needed foreign exchange into the continent.

    “We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria. It will contribute to value creation and to the development of the local community while also improving the lots of smallholder farmers and small business suppliers that will work with Starlink across the value chain,” Mrs. Awani added.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev: More than 2 billion rubles have been allocated for the development of the agro-industrial complex of the Novosibirsk region

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dmitry Patrushev met with the Governor of Novosibirsk Region Andrey Travnikov

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev visited Novosibirsk Oblast as part of a working trip to the regions of the Siberian Federal District, where he discussed issues of the region’s socio-economic development with Governor Andrei Travnikov.

    According to Dmitry Patrushev, Novosibirsk Region is traditionally one of the centers of attraction for competent personnel, scientific community and business. This year, active growth of investments is noted. The manufacturing sector is developing, in particular, technological and knowledge-intensive production.

    Speaking about agriculture, the Deputy Prime Minister separately noted the positive dynamics in livestock farming. Novosibirsk Oblast is the first region in Siberia in terms of livestock and poultry production, and is among the top three in terms of milk production. The new harvest is currently being harvested here in full swing. Despite the difficult weather conditions, more than 2 million tons of grain have already been harvested, the Deputy Prime Minister noted, and wished farmers worthy results.

    “The government, for its part, supports the development of the region’s agro-industrial complex. In 2024, more than 2 billion rubles have been allocated for these purposes. But the pace of delivery needs to be increased. It is also necessary to analyze the work within the framework of the state programs “Land” and “Comprehensive Development of Rural Territories,” Dmitry Patrushev emphasized.

    He also noted the work of the Novosibirsk Region in the field of nature management and environmental protection. The region participates in the activities of the national project “Ecology” to eliminate illegal dumps and preserve forests. This year, the Government allocated 281 million rubles for them. In the national project “Ecological Well-being”, the list of areas will be expanded. In particular, the region will continue to work on creating a waste management system within the framework of the new federal project “Closed Cycle Economy”.

    The Deputy Prime Minister expressed confidence that all this will improve the level of comfort and quality of life of the population of the Novosibirsk Region.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://government.ru/nevs/52893/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: There’s a renewed push to scrap junior rates of pay for young adults. Do we need to rethink what’s fair?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kerry Brown, Professor of Employment and Industry, School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University

    NT_Studio/Shutterstock

    Should young people be paid less than their older counterparts, even if they’re working the same job? Whether you think it’s fair or not, it’s been standard practice in many industries for a long time.

    The argument is that young people are not fully “work-ready” and require more intensive employer support to develop the right skills for their job.

    But change could be on the horizon. Major unions and some politicians are pushing for reform – arguing “youth wages” should be scrapped entirely for adults.

    Why? They say the need to be fairly paid for equal work effort, as well as economic considerations such as the high cost of living and ongoing housing crisis, mean paying young adults less based on their age is out of step with modern Australia.

    So is there a problem with our current system, and if so, how might we go about fixing it?

    What are youth wages?

    In Australia, a youth wage or junior pay rate is paid as an increasing percentage of an award’s corresponding full adult wage until an employee reaches the age of 21.

    This isn’t the case in every industry – some awards require all adults to be paid the same minimum rates.

    But for those not covered by a specific award, as well as those working in industries including those covered by the General Retail Industry Award, Fast Food Industry Award and Pharmacy Industry Award, employees younger than 21 are not paid the full rate.

    Why pay less?

    Conventionally, junior rates have been thought of as a “training wage”. Younger people are typically less experienced, so as they gain more skills on the job over time, they are paid a higher hourly rate.

    But there are a few key problems with this approach, which may not be relevant given many employers’ expectations for their workers to start “job-ready” and a lack of consistency in the training they provide.

    Training up and developing skills is an important part of building any career. But it isn’t always provided by their employers.

    Many young adults undergo training prior to starting work and at their own expense.
    Best smile studio/Shutterstock

    Many young workers train themselves in job-related technical education and short courses, often at their own expense and prior to starting work.

    Employers reap the benefit of this pre-employment training and so a “wage discount” for younger workers may be irrelevant in this instance.

    None of this is to say employers aren’t offering something important when they take on young employees.

    Younger workers coming into employment relatively early have access to more than just a paid job, but also become part of a team, with responsibilities and job requirements that support “bigger-picture” life skills.

    Those who employ them may be contributing to their broader social and cultural engagement, something that could be considered part of a more inclusive training package. Whether that justifies a significant wage discount is less clear.



    Read more:
    Why real wages in Australia have fallen while they’ve risen in most other OECD countries

    Calls for a rethink

    There are growing calls for a rethink on the way we compensate young people for their efforts.

    An application by the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association – the union for retail, fast food and warehousing workers – seeks to remove junior rates for adult employees on three key awards. This action will be heard by the Fair Work Commission next year.

    Sally McManus, Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, said the peak union body will lobby the government to legislate such changes if this application fails. The Greens have added their support.

    That doesn’t have to mean abolishing youth wages altogether. But 21 years of age is a high threshold, especially given we get the right to major adult responsibilities such as voting and driving by 18.

    A transition strategy could consider gradually lowering this threshold, or increasing the wage percentages over time.

    Lessons from New Zealand

    We wouldn’t be the first to make such a bold change if we did.

    Our geographically and culturally close neighbour, New Zealand, has already removed the “youth wage” – replacing it with a “first job” rate and a training wage set at 80% of the full award rate in 2008.

    A common argument against abolishing youth wages – and increasing the minimum wage in general – is that it will stop businesses hiring young people and thus increase unemployment.

    But a 2021 study that examined the effects of New Zealand’s experience with increasing minimum wages – including this change – found little discernible difference in employment outcomes for young workers.

    The authors did note, however, that New Zealand’s economic downturn post-2008 had a marked effect on the employment of young workers more generally.

    New Zealand has already taken major steps in reforming junior pay rates.
    Stephan Roeger/Shutterstock

    What’s fair?

    It’s easy to see how we arrived at the case for paying younger adults less. But younger workers should not bear the burden of intergenerational inequity by “losing out” on wages in the early part of their working life.

    The debate we see now echoes the discussions about equal pay for equal work value run in the 1960s and ‘70s in relation to women’s unequal pay.

    We were warned that paying women the same as men would cause huge economic dislocation. Such a catastrophe simply did not come to pass.

    Kerry Brown is a member of the National Tertiary Education Union.

    – ref. There’s a renewed push to scrap junior rates of pay for young adults. Do we need to rethink what’s fair? – https://theconversation.com/theres-a-renewed-push-to-scrap-junior-rates-of-pay-for-young-adults-do-we-need-to-rethink-whats-fair-240548

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM to visit Maharashtra on 5th October

    Source: Government of India

    PM to visit Maharashtra on 5th October

    PM to launch various initiatives related to the agricultural and animal husbandry sector worth around Rs 23,300 crore in Washim

    Celebrating the rich heritage of the Banjara community, PM to inaugurate Banjara Virasat Museum

    PM to inaugurate and lay foundation stone of various projects worth over Rs 32,800 crore in Thane

    Key focus of the projects: Boosting urban mobility in the region

    PM to inaugurate Aarey JVLR to BKC section of Mumbai Metro Line 3 Phase – 1

    PM to lay foundation stones of Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project and Elevated Eastern Freeway Extension

    PM to lay foundation stone of Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) project

    Posted On: 04 OCT 2024 5:39AM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Maharashtra on 5th October. He will travel to Washim and at around 11:15 AM, he will perform Darshan at Jagdamba Mata Temple, Poharadevi. He will also pay tribute at Samadhis of Sant Sevalal Maharaj and Sant Ramrao Maharaj in Washim. Thereafter, at around 11:30 AM, Prime Minister will inaugurate the Banjara Virasat Museum, celebrating the rich heritage of the Banjara community. At around 12 noon, he will launch several initiatives related to the agricultural and animal husbandry sector worth around Rs 23,300 crore. At around 4 PM, Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various development projects worth over Rs 32,800 crore at Thane. Thereafter at around 6 PM, from BKC Metro Station, he will flag off the Metro train scheduled to run from BKC to Aarey JVLR, Mumbai. He will also undertake a ride in the metro between BKC and Santacruz stations.

    PM in Washim

    In line with his commitment to empower farmers, Prime Minister will disburse the 18th instalment of the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi worth about Rs 20,000 crore to around 9.4 crore farmers. With the 18th instalment release, the total funds released to farmers under PM-KISAN will be around Rs 3.45 lakh crore. Further, Prime Minister will also launch the 5th instalment of NaMo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana disbursing about Rs 2,000 crore.

    Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation more than 7,500 projects under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), worth over Rs 1,920 crore. The major projects include custom hiring centres, primary processing units, warehouses, sorting and grading units, cold storage projects, post-harvest management projects among others.

    Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation 9,200 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) with a combined turnover of around Rs 1,300 crore.

    Further, Prime Minister will launch the Unified Genomic Chip for cattle and indigenous sex-sorted semen technology. This initiative aims to increase availability of sex sorted semen at affordable price to farmers and reduce the cost by around Rs 200 per dose. Unified Genomic Chip, GAUCHIP for indigenous cattle and MAHISHCHIP for buffaloes, have been developed along with genotyping services. With the implementation of genomic selection, young high-quality bulls can be identified at an early age.

    Further, Prime Minister will dedicate five solar parks with a total capacity of 19 MW across Maharashtra under Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana – 2.0. During the programme, he will also honour beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana.

    PM in Thane

    In a major push to boost urban mobility in the region, Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of key metro and road projects. Prime Minister will inaugurate the BKC to Aarey JVLR section of Mumbai Metro Line – 3 worth around Rs 14,120 crore. This section will have 10 stations, of which 9 will be underground. Mumbai Metro Line – 3 is a key public transport project that will improve commuting between Mumbai city and Suburbs. Fully operational line-3 is expected to cater to about 12 lakh passengers daily.

    Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project to be constructed at the cost of around Rs 12,200 crore. The total length of the project is 29 km with 20 elevated and 2 underground stations. This ambitious infrastructure project is a key initiative to address the growing transportation needs of Thane, a major industrial and commercial hub in Maharashtra.

    Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of Elevated Eastern Freeway Extension from Chheda Nagar to Anand Nagar, Thane worth around Rs 3,310 crore. The project will provide seamless connectivity from South Mumbai to Thane.

    Further, Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of Phase-1 of Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) project worth around Rs 2,550 crore. The project comprises construction of major arterial roads, bridges, flyovers, underpasses and integrated utility infrastructure.

    Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of Thane Municipal Corporation to be constructed at a cost of around Rs 700 crore. The high rise administrative building of Thane Municipal Corporation will provide benefits to citizens of Thane by accommodating most Municipal offices at a centrally located building.

     

    ***

    MJPS

    (Release ID: 2061814) Visitor Counter : 12

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister to Release 18th Instalment of PM-KISAN Scheme at Washim, Maharashtra on 5th October 2024

    Source: Government of India

    Prime Minister to Release 18th Instalment of PM-KISAN Scheme at Washim, Maharashtra on 5th October 2024

    More than 9.4 crore farmers to benefit with over ₹20,000 crore in direct transfers

    Distribution of 5th Instalment of Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana (Govt of Maharashtra)

    Dedication of 7516 completed projects under Agri. Infrastructure Fund

    Dedication of around 9,200 FPOs to the Nation

    Launch of Unified Genomic Chip for Cattle and Indigenous Sex Sorted Semen Technology

    e-Distribution of Social Development Grant to Gram Panchayat

    Dedication to the nation 5 Solar parks for 19 MW under MSKVY 2.0

    Posted On: 04 OCT 2024 1:34PM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will release the 18th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on 5th October 2024 in Washim, Maharashtra. This significant event will see over 9.4 crore farmers across the country receive direct financial benefits, amounting to more than ₹20,000 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) without involvement of any middlemen.

    The occasion will be attended by prominent dignitaries, including Governor of Maharashtra, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, Minister of Agriculture, Government of India, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri. Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Ajit Pawar and Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Minister of Soil & Water Conservation, Shri Sanjay Rathod, who is also the Guardian Minister for Washim and Yavatmal districts. Around 2.5 Cr. farmers will join the event including those at 732 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), over 1 lakh Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies and 5 lakh Common Service Centres across the country through web cast. Special events will also be organised in the States/UTs celebrating the day of the release as PM-KISAN Utsav Divas.

    Launched on 24th February 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme provides ₹6,000 annually to landholding farmers in three equal instalments. The Prime Minister will release the 18th instalment of PM-KISAN on 5th October. With the 18th instalment release, the total disbursement under the scheme will exceed ₹3.45 lakh crore, supporting more than 11 crore farmers nationwide and further reaffirming the government’s commitment to rural development and agricultural prosperity.

    In Maharashtra, about ₹32,000 crores have been transferred to around 1.20 cr farmers in 17 instalments of the scheme which is second highest among all the States in India. In the 18th instalment, around 91.51 lakh farmers will receive the benefits of over ₹1,900 crore.

    Alongside the PM-KISAN instalment distribution, the Prime Minister will also release the additional benefit of around ₹2,000 crore to   the  farmers of  the Maharashtra under the 5th instalment of the Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana, to further support their efforts.  

    Further, as a significant step for boosting agricultural infrastructure, the event will witness the dedication of several projects completed under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) in the first 100 days of New Govt. The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), launched in 2020, is a medium to long-term debt financing facility aimed at enhancing post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets. The scheme provides one lakh crore rupees in loans to eligible borrowers with a 3% interest subvention and a credit guarantee facility. Over the last 100 days, more than 10,066 Agri-infrastructure projects have been sanctioned nationwide, involving a sanction of of  ₹6,541 crore (including 101 projects for FPOs with a sanctioned amount of ₹97.67 crore). Additionally, 7,516 projects with a total sanction of ₹1,929 crore have been completed, including 35 FPO projects valued at ₹13.82 crore will be dedicated. These projects are strengthening the agricultural infrastructure, improving storage, and processing and logistics facilities, and enabling FPOs to scale operations, significantly benefiting farmers and the agricultural sector on the whole.

    To establish a strong value supply chain and support small, marginal, and landless farmers, the Government of India launched the Central Sector Scheme (CSS) for the formation and promotion of 10,000 FPOs, covering every block in the country. To date, around 9,200 FPOs have been formed, benefiting 24 lakh farmers, including 8.3 lakh women and 5.77 lakh ST and SC beneficiaries. These FPOs now have a combined annual turnover of over ₹1,300 crore, and they will also be dedicated by the Prime Minister to the nation during the event.

    In alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, an indigenous sex-sorted semen production technology will also be launched at the event. This affordable technology aims to increase the availability of sex-sorted semen for farmers, reducing the cost by approximately ₹200 per dose. Additionally, the Prime Minister will launch a Unified Genomic Chip – the ‘Gau Chip’ for cattle and ‘Mahish Chip’ for buffalo – developed by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD). This chip, tailored for Indian breeds, will enable farmers to make informed decisions on animal selection by identifying young, high-quality bulls at an early age, improving the efficiency of dairy farming in India.

    Looking ahead, the Prime Minister will also lead the e-Distribution of Letters of Award for around 3,000 MW under the KUSUM-C (MSKVY 2.0) scheme and the e-Distribution of Social Development Grants to Gram Panchayats. Five solar parks with a total capacity of 19 MW will be dedicated to the nation under MSKVY 2.0, contributing to sustainable power solutions and providing farmers with daytime electricity and an additional income source through land leasing.

    The 5 Solar parks are as follows:

    (i)   Dhondalgaon, Cha. Sambhaji Nagar-3 MW

    (ii)  Bamni Bk. Nanded – 5 MW

    (iii)   Kondgiri, Kolhapur – 3 MW

    (iv) Jalalabad, Akola – 3MW

    (v)  Palshi Bk. Buldhana – 5MW

     

    ******

    SS

    (Release ID: 2061928) Visitor Counter : 11

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Bluetongue: aid to livestock farmers and EU coordination measures – E-001819/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001819/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Marion Maréchal (ECR)

    Since autumn 2023, European livestock farms, most notably in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg and Italy, have been battling a new and aggressive wave of bluetongue. This disease, which mostly affects ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats, etc.), has caused around 23 000 sheep and 36 000 cattle to die in Belgium[1]. Meanwhile, in France, 1 929 outbreaks are currently recorded by state services.

    Although the Belgian Minister for Agriculture, Anne-Catherine Dalcq, said on 23 September 2024 that she had activated all EU levers, the lack of coordination between the Member States (late initiation of vaccination campaigns) has contributed to the epizootic disease spreading.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.What EU levers have actually been activated by the agriculture ministers of the countries concerned?
    • 2.Has the Commission examined the shortcomings in coordination between Member States that caused the delay in taking prevention and protection measures?
    • 3.Will it mobilise the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) crisis reserve to support farmers that are struggling, and will it maintain all CAP support, despite the decrease in livestock populations?

    Submitted: 25.9.2024

    • [1] Figures from the Belgian Federal Ministry of Agriculture communicated on 19 September 2024 during the plenary session of the Chamber.
    Last updated: 4 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –